Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Aston Martin Rapide to start at $199,950 in the U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/06/aston-martin-rapide-to-cost-199-950-in-the-us/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/06/aston-martin-rapide-to-cost-199-950-in-the-us/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/06/aston-martin-rapide-to-cost-199-950-in-the-us/#commentsFiled under: ,


Aston Martin Rapide - Click above for high-res image gallery

A couple of days after announcing U.K. pricing for the the new Rapide, Aston Martin has now also priced the North American version of its slinky four-door. When Aston starts deliveries of its newest model next spring, U.S. customers will have to pony up a minimum of $199,950. Aston Martin dealers will doubtless provide clients with the opportunity to substantially elevate that price tag via costly personalization options. After all, when you're dropping that kind of coin, you don't want to see yourself coming and going all the time.

The Rapide will be the first Aston Martin produced outside of Great Britain once cars start rolling off the line in Graz, Austria. The special factory was set up in cooperation with Magna Steyr prior to the global financial collapse, back when the Gaydon factory that makes the other Astons was running at full capacity. In these post-meltdown days, the decision about where to produce the car may have been very different. If you have the means, your local dealer is taking orders now. Official press release available after the jump.


Gallery: 2011 Aston Martin Rapide


[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin Rapide to start at $199,950 in the U.S.

Aston Martin Rapide to start at $199,950 in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martinaston martin rapideaston martin rapide priceAstonMartinAstonMartinRapideAstonMartinRapidePricerapiderapide priceRapidePriceSun, 06 Dec 2009 19:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Aston Martin Rapide priced from £139,950 in the UK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/aston-martin-rapide-priced-from-139-950-in-the-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/aston-martin-rapide-priced-from-139-950-in-the-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/04/aston-martin-rapide-priced-from-139-950-in-the-uk/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Aston Martin Rapide - Click above for high-res image gallery

Aston Martin has finally hung a price tag on its long-awaited four door, the Rapide, in its U.K. home market. As you might reasonably expect, it won't come cheap, starting at £139,950 or about $233,000 USD. Given pricing disparities between international markets, that's not necessarily an indication of what the Rapide will command Stateside, but we note that the Rapide costs nearly twice what Porsche asks for its base Panamera - and over £40K ($66k USD) more than even the impossibly quick Panamera Turbo. Though the cars weren't exactly designed as competitors, there's little doubt that the two four-passenger sloping-roof models will be cross-shopped by interested parties, along with other quick luxocrats like the Maserati Quattroporte and Bentley Continental Flying Spur.

For that £139,950 price tag, though, buyers will be getting a largely handmade and finely-crafted automobile powered by a 470-horsepower V12 engine. For what it's worth, that's 30 horses less than the Panamera Turbo, but it's wrapped in less divisive sheetmetal and it'll undoubtedly be far more exclusive.

Initial Rapide deliveries in Great Britain are expected to begin in the spring of 2010, but if you're interested in having an example of your very own, you'd best queue up now. Check out the updated gallery with new high-res images of the 2011 Aston Martin Rapide below, and the official press release is after the jump.



[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin Rapide priced from £139,950 in the UK

Aston Martin Rapide priced from £139,950 in the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 Aston Martin2011 Aston Martin Rapide2011 Rapide2011AstonMartin2011AstonMartinRapide2011RapideAMAstonaston martinaston martin rapideaston martin rapide priceAstonMartinAstonMartinRapideAstonMartinRapidePriceRapiderapide priceRapidePricerapidweaverFri, 04 Dec 2009 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Pics Aplenty: Aston Martin Rapide is ready for its close-up]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/pics-aplenty-aston-martin-rapide-is-ready-for-its-close-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/pics-aplenty-aston-martin-rapide-is-ready-for-its-close-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/pics-aplenty-aston-martin-rapide-is-ready-for-its-close-up/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Aston Martin Rapide - Click above for high-res image gallery

It isn't every day that Aston Martin comes out with a new car. And this isn't one of them, because the production version of the Rapide four-door saloon came out over a month ago already. But considering that the British sportscar-maker got by - just fine, thank you very much - on what essentially boiled down to a two-car line-up for several years, we'll gladly run with it a little longer. Because there are few cars on the road that are as sumptuously crafted or lustily styled as an Aston. And this is their first sedan in decades. So take a deep breath, poor yourself a dry martini, click on the thumbnails below, and take a stroll through the mega gallery of high-resolution images that Aston has released purely for your viewing enjoyment. We particularly like this one, which shows the high-dollar super saloon being used as an actual family car.


Gallery: Aston Martin Rapide


[Source: Aston Martin]

Pics Aplenty: Aston Martin Rapide is ready for its close-up originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>astonaston martinaston martin rapideaston rapideAstonMartinAstonMartinRapideAstonRapidepics aplentyPicsAplentyrapideTue, 03 Nov 2009 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Aston Martin releases new Rapide video chronicling development]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/02/video-aston-martin-releases-new-rapide-video-chronicling-develo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/02/video-aston-martin-releases-new-rapide-video-chronicling-develo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/02/video-aston-martin-releases-new-rapide-video-chronicling-develo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Aston Martin Rapide - Click above to watch the video after the jump

After seeing the production Aston Martin Rapide at the Frankfurt Motor Show last month, we're pretty sure it's one of the most attractive sedans ever produced. And now that we've seen the sleek looking sedan in motion, we're 100 percent sure the Rapide is a winner.

Aston Martin has released a simply stunning video of the Rapide in various stages of development, from the skid pad to the Nurburgring, kicking off with a 50 second montage with just enough Rapide to keep us interested, then another 30 seconds in the garage. From there, the Rapide heads over to Germany for some hot-lapping, then the video crescendos at the Stelvio Pass in northern Italy for some powertrain development. Hit the jump to view the video for yourself, you'll be happy you took the three minutes out of your day.


Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: Aston Martin Rapide

Continue reading VIDEO: Aston Martin releases new Rapide video chronicling development

VIDEO: Aston Martin releases new Rapide video chronicling development originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aston martinaston martin rapideAstonMartinAstonMartinRapideNurburgringrapiderapide videoRapideVideoFri, 02 Oct 2009 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Aston Martin Rapide shows off its pretty self on Facebook]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/aston-martin-rapide-shows-off-its-pretty-self-on-facebook/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/aston-martin-rapide-shows-off-its-pretty-self-on-facebook/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/23/aston-martin-rapide-shows-off-its-pretty-self-on-facebook/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Aston Martin Rapide - click above image for hi-res gallery

First of all, does Aston Martin really need a Facebook page? Really? Is the brand actually helped by comments like this, "Aston Martins...the most sexy sports car ever manufactured;)sooo sexy even sexier in red!" We're guessing no. Then again, Aston's relentless pursuit of James Bond marketing hoopla (remember, in Fleming's books, 007 typically drove Bentleys) does show that they like their cars in the public eye. Plus, social networking is the new black PR. And unlike a certain Honda, it seems that most Facebookers like the way that Aston Martins look.

Case in point: Aston has just dropped eleven pics of the long-anticipated four-door Rapide onto its Facebook profile. Granted, these are the same production pics we got with the press materials in Frankfurt, but still. Now they're on Facebook, which we guess is the natural progression of things. Also, any of you find anything about the pictures a little off-putting? Like how the family in them just ain't that British looking? In fact, they appear kinda more like a Scandinavian dream. Something's just... off. Thanks to Christopher for the tip!



[Source: Facebook]

Aston Martin Rapide shows off its pretty self on Facebook originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aston MartinAston Martin RapideAstonMartinAstonMartinRapideFacebookRapideWed, 23 Sep 2009 15:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Aston Martin Rapide interior leaked]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/10/aston-martin-rapide-interior-leaked/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/10/aston-martin-rapide-interior-leaked/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/10/aston-martin-rapide-interior-leaked/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Aston Martin Rapide - Click above for a high-res image gallery

A scanned rendering of the Aston Martin Rapide's interior, claimed to be taken from an official brochure, has slid onto the Internet, and judging by the images, occupants will get the full GT experience no matter where they're seated.

Assuming there's room to get comfy, back-seaters should have a fine time of it. Screens in the headrests will entertain while controls on the center tunnel keep the climate in check. We aren't sure what the features in the seatbacks are, but we look forward to finding out.

And in a first for recent Astons, the packaging appears to have left room for a properly capacious trunk. Stay tuned for shots of the real deal from the Frankfurt Motor Show.


Gallery: "Official" Aston Martin Rapide renderings

astonmartinrapidene_647766a

[Source: Autoblog Espanol]

Aston Martin Rapide interior leaked originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 aston martin2010 aston martin rapide2010 rapide2010AstonMartin2010AstonMartinRapide2010Rapideaston martinaston martin rapideAstonMartinAstonMartinRapidefrankfurtfrankfurt 2009frankfurt motor showFrankfurt2009FrankfurtMotorShowluxuryperformancerapidesedanMon, 10 Aug 2009 19:26:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Production Aston Martin Rapide to debut in Frankfurt]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/07/report-production-aston-martin-rapide-to-debut-in-frankfurt/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/07/report-production-aston-martin-rapide-to-debut-in-frankfurt/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/07/report-production-aston-martin-rapide-to-debut-in-frankfurt/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 Aston Martin Rapide - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Unlike recent auto expos, the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show is going to have some fantastic jewelry on display -- the Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche's revised 911 Turbo, the MX-5 Superlight, the list goes on and on. Aston Martin has also confirmed that three years after the Rapide concept stole the show in Detroit, the production version will join the beer-and-sausage fest in Germany.

The Rapide's price has been given at £110,000 in the U.K.. It's supposedly 40 horsepower down on the Vantage V12 -- 470 hp versus 510 hp -- but if that price is right, the Rapide costs £25,000 less than the Vantage V12. While we're fans of the brutish Vantage, that's enough change for us to notice. So we'll simply have to put the two side-by-side in Frankfurt to compare...


Gallery: "Official" Aston Martin Rapide renderings

astonmartinrapidene_647766a

[Source: Channel4]

REPORT: Production Aston Martin Rapide to debut in Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 aston martin rapide2010 rapide2010AstonMartinRapide2010Rapideaston martinaston martin rapideAstonMartinAstonMartinRapidefrankfurtfrankfurt 2009frankfurt auto showfrankfurt motor showFrankfurt2009FrankfurtAutoShowFrankfurtMotorShowluxuryperformancerapidesedanFri, 07 Aug 2009 15:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: This is your Aston Martin Rapide]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/20/spy-shots-this-is-your-aston-martin-rapide/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/20/spy-shots-this-is-your-aston-martin-rapide/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/20/spy-shots-this-is-your-aston-martin-rapide/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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]

Spy Shots: This is your Aston Martin Rapide originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 aston martin rapide2010AstonMartinRapideaston martinaston martin rapideAstonMartinAstonMartinRapidegtrapidesaloonsedansportsspy shotsSpyShotsSat, 20 Jun 2009 17:46:00 EST<![CDATA[First "official" images of Aston Martin Rapide... or not]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/30/first-official-images-of-aston-martin-rapide-or-not/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/30/first-official-images-of-aston-martin-rapide-or-not/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/30/first-official-images-of-aston-martin-rapide-or-not/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above to see gallery of "official" Aston Martin Rapide renderings

Autocar has what it says are official renderings of the new Aston Martin Rapide. If Autocar has it right, however, the Rapide's front and rear aspects are closest to the Vantage V8, not the DBS or DB9. The front air dam features just one lower intake, the trunk valance is flush with the car, and the tailpipes flank the rear diffuser area. Those are all Vantage cues.

The 5-meter long car will get the firm's 6.0-liter V12, but slot exactly in between the DB9 and DBS in output with 480 hp. Autocar suggests this will get the car to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, but that could be optimistic - those 30 additional horses over the DB9 have to pull 286 more pounds, which will make it a challenge to outrun the middle sibling.

Not that it's really meant to. The Rapide is Aston luxury for four, so it is taller than the DBS in order to provide more rear headroom for the "young adults" that can fit back there. The rear doors open wider than the front for ease of entry and the front seats have been raised to make room for the feet of back seat passengers. It even has a wagon-like folding rear bulkhead and parcel shelf. The Rapide will be appearing in Autumn when, with all hope, a better buying climate awaits it.

UPDATE: First four official renderings of the production Rapide courtesy of Aston Martin added to gallery.

Gallery: "Official" Aston Martin Rapide renderings

astonmartinrapidene_647766a

[Source: Autocar]

First "official" images of Aston Martin Rapide... or not originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for two larger renderings of the production Aston Martin Rapide
A few weeks ago we showed you what we believed to be the first official rendering of the upcoming Aston Martin Rapide four-door sports sedan. That image showed the front three-quarter view of this British beauty. We told you at the time that there was another image allegedly out there that was waiting for a January release. Well, Christmas has come early.

Today we bring you the rear three-quarter shot of this much-anticipated Porsche Panamera rival. This view shows the dramatic sweeping glass roof that carries right down into the rear glass. The tail looks a lot like that on the Vantage, but when you have family genes like those of Aston Martin, that's not a bad thing. We still expect that the Rapide will be powered by a tuned version of the corporate 6.0L V12 producing 500bhp and 420 lb-ft of torque. That should be more than enough to rapidly scoot the Rapide to an anticipated v-max of 180 mph. We can't wait to see it in the flesh.

Gallery: Production Aston Martin Rapide


[Source: 4WheelsNews]

Rear of production Aston Martin Rapide shown originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aston martin rapideAston Martin sedanAstonMartinRapideAstonMartinSedanfour door coupefour door sports carFourDoorCoupeFourDoorSportsCarrapideFri, 12 Dec 2008 10:28:00 EST<![CDATA[First official Aston Martin Rapide image comes online]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/first-official-aston-martin-rapide-image-comes-online/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/first-official-aston-martin-rapide-image-comes-online/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/26/first-official-aston-martin-rapide-image-comes-online/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to enlarge

It's only one image, but it's supposedly the real deal. Or so says CAR Magazine in the UK, which published this rendering of the upcoming Aston Martin Rapide today. The publication claims the computer-generated rendering comes straight from Aston and previews the final form of this über four-door coupe. They apparently have another image in hand but are saving that for the January 2009 print issue of CAR. From what we can see, it appears that the Rapide will remain very true to the concept version. CAR notes the front end has changed a bit with the concept's quad air intakes being replaced by an upper and lower grille, and there's now a more creased character line running down the length of the vehicle. The rear has supposedly changed a little as well, but is not viewable from the angle we get in this rendering. The mag is also claiming the Rapide will be powered by a big 6.0L V12 producing 500bhp and 420 lb-ft of torque, which should be enough to keep the large sedan, err... coupe, moving briskly.

Gallery: Aston Martin Rapide Concept


[Source: CAR]

First official Aston Martin Rapide image comes online originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aston martinaston martin rapideAstonMartinAstonMartinRapiderapideWed, 26 Nov 2008 10:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Details: Aston Martin and Mercedes' "?300m deal"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/23/details-aston-martin-and-mercedes-300m-deal/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/23/details-aston-martin-and-mercedes-300m-deal/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/23/details-aston-martin-and-mercedes-300m-deal/#commentsFiled under: ,



In today's chaotic automotive industry, if you're not merging, divesting, or collaborating, then you're just not trying. Both Aston Martin and Mercedes are only about 18 months removed from their respective divorces from Ford and Chrysler, and now the two luxury automakers are looking to shack up with one another. This time, though, they'll skip wedded bliss in favor of a limited agreement between two consensual companies. CAR gave us some details in on the limited partnership in its September issue, and now the British rag is making with the details.

Make the jump for the skinny.

Continue reading Details: Aston Martin and Mercedes' "?300m deal"

Details: Aston Martin and Mercedes' "?300m deal" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aston martinaston martin mercedes benz partnershipAstonMartinAstonMartinMercedesBenzPartnershiplagondamercedesrapideThu, 23 Oct 2008 13:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Aston Martin to move further upmarket?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/aston-martin-to-move-further-upmarket/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/aston-martin-to-move-further-upmarket/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/21/aston-martin-to-move-further-upmarket/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Such is the logic of luxury economics: charge tens of thousands of dollars more for the same product, sell fewer of them and boost the balance sheet and your brand's long-term viability. That is what Aston Martin's considering for the next phase of its business plan, which runs from roughly 2011 to 2019 and will see the launch of DB9 and Vantage successors, the Rapide, and the renewed Lagonda brand.

The Vantage and DB9 are big sellers for Aston, but the company might be unsure of how to sustain the momentum. One option is to move the price of the $113,000 Vantage closer to the $171,000 DB9, and move that latter car closer to the $265,000 DBS, sell fewer of them but make more money. The DB9 does strike us as a (relative) bargain - it's cheaper than a Bentley GT -- but pricing the Vantage closer to the DB9 would seem to wreck its business case as a 911 fighter. Another option could be to replace the Vantage or DB9 with a mid-engined sports car, which could be drool-worthy and well worth the price bump... but perhaps un-Aston-like.

AutoWeek also appears to report that the One-77 isn't sold out, writing "Although Aston has said that it would make a maximum of 77 cars, insiders privately say the market is closer to 25." We don't know how that could be, unless a bunch of the 100 people who applied to buy the car were just kidding...

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage


[Source: AutoWeek]

Aston Martin to move further upmarket? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aston martinaston martin db9aston martin lagondaaston martin rapideaston martin v8 vantageAstonMartinAstonMartinDb9AstonMartinLagondaAstonMartinRapideAstonMartinV8Vantagecoupesdb9future plansfuture productFuturePlansFutureProductlagondarapidesports carsSportsCarssupercarsv8 vantageV8VantagevantageTue, 21 Oct 2008 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide 'Ring battle]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/spy-shots-porsche-panamera-and-aston-martin-rapide-ring-battle/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/spy-shots-porsche-panamera-and-aston-martin-rapide-ring-battle/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/22/spy-shots-porsche-panamera-and-aston-martin-rapide-ring-battle/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



To the 'Ring we go, and our companions today are -- in the apt words of World Car Fans -- "beauty and the beast." That would be the Aston Martin Rapide and the Porsche Panamera. We'll let you decide which one deserves which title. Follow the link and you'll find a large gallery of both cars in basic black, un-camo'ed and racing each other around the 'Ring to help cast your vote.

In practical considerations, the Panamera looks to have the Rapide beat in all kinds of ways. For instance, it should get better gas mileage if you get the V6 or V8, and it has more trunk space with 450 liters. Aston's cars have little trunk syndrome, and the Rapide probably won't really change that. But hey, who would buy a Panamera or Rapide for practical reasons? Either way, we won't really know the state of things until the 2009 Geneva Motor Show next March when they are officially introduced.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Spy Shots: Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide 'Ring battle originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4 door coupe4DoorCoupeaston martinaston martin rapideAstonMartinAstonMartinRapidefour door coupeFourDoorCoupepanameraporscheporsche panameraPorschePanamerarapidesedansedansFri, 22 Aug 2008 19:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Aston Martin Rapide spotted with glass roof]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/01/spy-shots-aston-martin-rapide-spotted-with-glass-roof/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/01/spy-shots-aston-martin-rapide-spotted-with-glass-roof/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/01/spy-shots-aston-martin-rapide-spotted-with-glass-roof/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of new Aston Martin Rapide spy shots

The latest four-door Aston Martin (remember the Lagonda?) has been spied lapping the famed Nurburgring in Germany, which is a far cry from the frozen lakes of Sweden where it had previously been caught testing. Spy photographers, however, have noticed something different with this Rapide prototype now that all the snow's been brushed off: a glass roof. The transparent canopy extends from the windshield all the way to the back hatch, which is some impressive acreage considering the length of this car's wheelbase. Wearing hardly any camouflage, it's apparent that the Rapide is progressing nicely from concept to production with nary a tweak to dull its sexy shape. It will likely be the first all-new car debuted under the brand's new ownership, though much of the development work was performed when it was still owned by Ford.

Gallery: Aston Martin Rapide - spy shots II


[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Aston Martin Rapide spotted with glass roof originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of the Aston Martin Rapide

One of the first decisions that David Richards and his partners made after buying Aston Martin from Ford last year was to produce the four-door Rapide. The platform architecture of the DB9 was designed to be easily stretched in both length and width, making derivatives like the Rapide and the DBS a possibility without much fuss and expense. There was, however, one annoying little detail to address with the Rapide. Aston Martin's UK manufacturing facilities are already running full-tilt building the DB9, DBS and V8 Vantage.. Aston had to find somewhere else to build the new car, and Magna Steyr stepped into the breach. Magna will set up a new manufacturing facility dedicated to Rapide production at its factory in Graz, Austria. The Aston Martin Rapide Plant will be patterned after the processes at the Gaydon plant in the UK where other Astons are built, and production of some 2,000 Rapides a year will begin late next year in Graz.

Gallery: Aston Martin Rapide Concept


[Source: Aston Martin]

Aston Martin Rapide production goes to Austria originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Faulty economy or not, top-end luxury purchases are on the rise, and the new owners of Aston Martin are looking to capitalize on the trend. Plans are in place to increase Aston production from 7,000 units in 2007 up to 8,000 in 2008, but the top-luxury automaker's new owners want more. DAR (owns 50% of Aston) business development manager Adham Charanoglu has met recently with Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Daimler with regards to leveraging the Aston Martin brand with high end luxury products. While increasing merchandising revenue from $100m to up to $300m by whoring out the Aston name is nothing to sneeze at, we're mostly interested in the British automaker's conversations with Mercedes.

Charanoglu told Reuters that the two automakers could one day collaborate on everything from platforms to powertrains. It makes sense that Aston is looking to buddy up with another high-end automaker since minority owner Ford will soon be without Jaguar, so development costs could go up if Tata decides to break off ties. We're betting that only the high-end Mercedes products would be included in any partnership, though, as Aston likely won't dip below the $100,000 barrier, and an S-Class-based Aston could give Bentley fits. Rumor has it that Aston has already considered building the Rapide outside of Gaydon, so there's a chance that an Aston Mercedes could be built outside the UK.

[Source: Auto News, subs req'd]

Aston Martin owners partnering with Mercedes on luxury brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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click above for more high-res spy shots of the Aston Martin Rapide on ice

Spy photographers have officially found Aston Martin's preferred location for sub-zero testing. Following two spy shots of the new four-door Rapide filling up, we have this new batch of snaps showing the Rapide auditioning for a spot in the Ice Capades. Actually, Aston's newest model is likely undergoing testing for both its traction control system and how well the car handles cold weather.

The photographers from KGP also pointed out for us what has changed on the Rapide so far, which, as we remarked last time, is surprisingly little. The sideview mirrors are now larger and located on the A-pillar, whereas the concept's delicate mirrors were placed on the fenders. The concept also featured side turn markers located in the Rapide's front fender vents, though it appears the production vehicle will relocate the turn signal to below the vents on the fenders themselves.

This niche segment of four-door luxury coupes will soon be populated by the original founder, the Mercedes-Benz CLS, as well as the Rapide and the Porsche Panamera. While the CLS has long been considered a pioneering and breathtaking design, the Rapide will certainly hold its own in the drop-dead-gorgeous category. Then there's the ugly duckling Panamera, which we hope has the technological prowess to make up for its aesthetic pitfalls.

[Photos: KGP Photography]

Gallery: Aston Martin Rapide - spy shots on ice

Spy Shots: Aston Martin Rapide on ice originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With its Le Mans racing program soon to be bolstered by GT2 and LMP1 entries, and with sales of its ever-so-desirable GTs ever increasing, Aston Martin is preparing to add the four-door Rapide to its production line-up. And if this spy shot is any indication, things seem to be moving along nicely.

Aston was anticipated to decide by year's end where the Rapide would be built. Although the company just moved to a new facility in Gaydon, the automaker was reportedly in discussions with a number of smaller contractors - including Pininfarina, Karmann, Magna-Steyr and Valmet - over potentially outsourcing the Rapide's manufacturing. As we already know, these private coachbuilders are all in dire need of the contract.

Confirmation that Aston would build the Rapide was one of the first things its new owners did after acquiring the company from Ford, and we're looking forward to seeing the production version in the flesh after seeing this spy shot.

[Source: The Hollywood Extra]

Spy Shot: Aston Martin Rapide originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Now that Ford is no longer in control of Aston Martin, AutoCar had a chat with new AM Chairman David Richards about the future of the no-longer-as-exclusive, but still very expensive British car maker. Richards made clear that Ulrich Bez is still very much in charge of day to day operations at Aston, and he represents the owners and helps plot strategy. The company that produced only a few hundred cars a year as recently as fifteen years ago is now closing in on five figure annual sales.

To help achieve that, a replacement for the Vanquish that's based on the DBS (above) that appeared in the last James Bond movie will be in production soon. Likewise, the four-door Rapide should be ready by 2009. The DB in Aston's model names stood for former owner David Brown, who rescued the company in the 1950s. Apparently Richards is not keen on the idea of changing the nomenclature to reflect his own initials, so future models will still be named for Mr. Brown.

[Source: AutoCar]

David Richards talks about Aston Martin's future originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Mar 2007 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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