REPORT: Aston Martin considering mid-engined flagship
Company officials swear it's not in the cards, but industry sources are suggesting that Aston Martin's new ownership is mulling over the possibility of building a mid-engined supercar to top the range.
When the announcement was made that Aston was going independent, CEO Ulrich Bez showed a product line-up that featured the codename NPX at the top, positioned above the $400,000 Rapide four-door coupe, which the automaker, infused with new capital and bolstered by growing sales, approved for production.
Currently the entire Aston line-up is based on the same front-engine, rear-wheel-drive platform, and according to the company's five-year plan, that's not set to change. Not yet, at least, but that's not to say it couldn't change after 2010 when the plan expires and the automaker will have to set a new direction.
This isn't the first time Aston was reported to have been considering a mid-engined model, as the entry-level V8 Vantage was originally planned as a mid-engined model to face off against the Ferrari 360 Modena. If the NPX gets the green light, however, the sites will be set considerably higher on the Enzo's successor.
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[Source: AutoWeek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Daniel 12:45PM (4/25/2007)
I'll take one of each color please.
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thesawzall 2:02PM (4/25/2007)
Too bad they're not a part of Ford anymore. They could have based it on the GT chassis.
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Bob-o 2:33PM (4/25/2007)
Scratch the flagship...$400k for the Rapide? WTF?
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dookie559 2:40PM (4/25/2007)
The bonded extruded aluminum chassis technology that Aston Martin uses is way more advanced than the Ford GT chassis.
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mk 3:21PM (4/25/2007)
I wonder if this is a direction change, or new info on the "DBX" rumor.
I have wondered what the difference would be between the DBS and DBX, both being Front engined V12 2-seaters. Perhaps the DBX is not a front-engined car, afterall.
A new V12 mid-engine supercar from the UK could be really good. Successor to the likes of the Jaguar XJ13, and the McLaren F1. With Aston styling, you know it is going to be gorgeous like the Vantage, DB9, DBS, and Rapide. Probably much better looking than the illustration posted here.
And, BTW, AGAIN, the Rapide is not a 4-door Coupe, nor are other cars like it. 4-door Coupe is an oxymoron generated by marketing, but an oxymoron none-the-less. Like a four wheeled bicycle.
Coupé MEANS "2 doors"! As in a carriage or automobile with two doors. LOOK IT UP!
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AMcA 8:59PM (4/25/2007)
I dunno. Astons are RWDrs. Astons are always beautiful, classically proportioned.
Mid-engined (excuse me - REAR mid-engined - all current Astons are FRONT mid-engined)cars always have big fat rear ends. They are rarely, if ever, elegantly proportioned.
I think a mid-engine Aston would be an ill-advised departure.
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Bob-o 5:14AM (4/26/2007)
#5, you're WRONG. How about YOU look it up?
"The SAE distinguishes a coupé from a sedan (saloon) primarily by interior volume; SAE standard J1100 defines a coupé as a fixed-roof automobile with less than 33 ft³ (0.93 m³, 934 L) of rear interior volume."
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chuck easy 8:02PM (5/02/2007)
Aston always made classics...for the serious car addicts..I would love to be able to purchase one cash..Beautiful works of art..Mid engine would definitely be something to consider based on the weight and overall porportions..Definitely would be something to drive..naw mean..???
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