Spy Shots: This is your Aston Martin Rapide
by Jonathon Ramsey on Jun 20th 2009 at 5:46PM 
A Car magazine reader has photographed the Aston Martin Rapide looking like it could have come off a dealer lot. The snapper also peeped the inside, which he said has a full-length console a la the Mercedes CLS to create four distinct seating positions. Aston has, however, said that those rear seats are for "children or two adults on shorter journeys." The slinky black number also sports a serious set of pipes out back that we expect to put out a beautiful soundtrack. And thank goodness the car has a hatch like the Vantage, which means -- in a first for current Aston Martins -- it could have a proper trunk. Like the kind you can actually put things in.[Source: Car]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
F-22 6:04PM (6/20/2009)
Just shut up...
Stop embarassing yourself...
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Other Man 6:16PM (6/20/2009)
The only disappointing aspect of this car will be the engine. With 470-510 hp, this thing just won't have the power I expect in a super sedan, even a large cruiser like this.
Too bad the One-77's 7L wasn't available.
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FatherMaestro 6:44PM (6/20/2009)
How many times have you actually (ie not Gran Turismo) experienced what 470-510 horsepower feels like? No matter who you are, that's a lot of power. It's not an S65, sure, but that's still far more power than would be useable in the real world (the vast majority of the time). I have a feeling your answer to my original question is "None." Which is fine, and nothing to be ashamed of. You'll know what I mean, in terms of the sheer force of even an apparently paltry 470 horsepower, when you get the chance to actually experience it and take it all in.
Other Man 7:09PM (6/20/2009)
It's funny you say that to me as I took delivery of my black 2009 C63 AMG, which power-to-weight wise is pretty close with 451 hp. I haven't actually put it to the floor yet as it's not a daily driver and has only a couple thousand miles on it, but before that I
also had a Charger SRT8 for two years, which was fast.
And that's the thing. It WILL be fast of course, but when you pay this much ..... I want to be blown away. Well, if I could ever afford one, which I won't.
Art 7:47PM (6/20/2009)
yeah, it's not a S65, which is a bloated super luxe with Cadillac driving manners. This is a Vantage with four doors
Cary 7:59PM (6/20/2009)
Art, I'd assume you've driven the S65? Oh, wait you haven't. When you feel like removing your foot from your mouth and are in Irvine, Ca. Give me a shout. I'll show you what my "caddy" can do.
Kappy 6:17PM (6/20/2009)
Wow, I'm impressed. Looks good. Well, I guess it's time to go buy a Lotto Ticket
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Juggernaut 7:38PM (6/20/2009)
aye... will see who wins the 30mil this week
Ligor 6:22PM (6/21/2009)
i'm not
the front overhang is twice that of the Taurus and the whole thing is out of proportion
this is just slighltly better looking than the Panamera but still it's not a great looking car
i can name a few sedans costing 1/4 or less the price of this that look much better
but then i'm not a fan of the aston look, it's been around for so long it just looks stale
jon 6:21PM (6/20/2009)
not a fan actually... never thought i'd say that about an aston but it just looks disproportionate to what i hoped it'd be.
whats with the giant headlights?
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Protzenegger 7:11PM (6/20/2009)
Those are obviously plastic overlays on top of the actual headlights.
What, you thought they'd reveal the WHOLE thing before its debut?
Geekengineer 6:21PM (6/20/2009)
@ftfyuighoj: take your psychotic pseudopolitical yip-yap elsewhere (and I didn't vote for Obama)
Anyhoo... the Panamera could learn a lot from the Rapide. Throw some actual shape onto the back end, and it *might* have a chance of actually being competitive, in a beauty sense, with this good-looking car.
I like the Rapide, and will save my pennies so that I can one day join the ranks of those elitist NWO banker entertainment mogul ninjas that runs the world from the shadows.
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sparrk 8:58AM (6/21/2009)
i bet the Panamera will sell a lot more than the Rapide. the design of the rapide is already old , the Panamera is original and has character and it's design will age better than the Aston's. not to mention the better quality, reliability and handling of the Porsche.
Geekengineer 12:30PM (6/21/2009)
@sparrk:
I'm trying to wrap my head around your statement, "the design of the rapide is already old". (You'll have to forgive me, as I am but a "stupid American" as you refer to us on this side of the Atlantic - f&^k you for that).
This is video from April, 2007, showing a prototype Panamera (that's a little over 2 years ago):
http://www.caradvice.com.au/2280/porsche-panamera-spy-video/
However, the Rapide appeared as a concept at the 2006 NAIA. For how long had the Rapide been in actual production-oriented development before it was shown as a concept. For how long had Porsche been developing the Panamera before the above video was shot?
If you can answer those questions, perhaps your statement can be validated.
Now, if you're trying to say the Rapide *looks* old when compared to the Panamera, then you are voicing an opinion, something that is allowed, no matter how wrong it is. Not that I'm saying your opinion is wrong or anything. Or am I? I'm just not sure.
Also, do you have data regarding quality, reliability, and handling for both cars? I am curious how they compare, as you seem to have the "inside scoop".
Do share.
_mc 6:30PM (6/20/2009)
i always liked the rapide project, but now, when i see the final product, i have to say that i'm a bit dissapointed by its looks.
the rear is ok, but the headlights are too large, and those side rear-mirrors are kind of displaced/ugly/mounted weird...... not comparable to db9/s/vantage
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Art 6:30PM (6/20/2009)
...I am at a loss for words
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Yaroukh 6:44PM (6/20/2009)
the side-mirror looks weird
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esoterica 6:53PM (6/20/2009)
Actually the backseat of the CLS is for "children or two adults on shorter journeys" as well, M-B just isn't quite as forthright about it. And the "adults" had better be even shorter than the journeys.
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homunculus 7:01PM (6/20/2009)
Anyone know how I can join the Jewish banking syndicate/Illuminati/Quantum Corporation so I can buy one of these thingies?
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Cary 8:01PM (6/20/2009)
Sorry bud. You've got the wrong genetics. Next best thing? Play their game against them.