Rapide Official: 2010 Aston Martin Rapide

[Human]

Who does not love the Aston...any Aston for it's gorgeous styling?

Though the Rapide is gorgeous....it just lacks the 'finesse' of the Panamera imo.

Soooo....Bentley GT, Panamera or Rapide?....for me the Panamera

I feel a poll coming on

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Soooo....Bentley GT, Panamera or Rapide?....for me the Panamera

Did you mean the Bugatti sedan that's coming out? I don't think the Bentley GT compares to the other too.

 

[Human]

Did you mean the Bugatti sedan that's coming out? I don't think the Bentley GT compares to the other too.

Well H.O.H. if I could put the Bugatti sedan in the same league as the Panamera and Aston or for that matter compare it (BUGATTI) to ANY luxury car currently in production NOTHING can compare to either the Veyron nor the upcoming sedan...

I would have any Bugatti to any car any day!

 

[Giannis]

New Rapide development video here:

VIDEO: Aston Martin releases new Rapide video chronicling development — Autoblog

 

[Wunderkind]

That Wheels4 site doesn't have a clue what they're talking about. The current Aston-Martin V12 isn't a Ford Duratec V12, there is no such engine. The current Aston V12 was made by using 2 Duratec V6 blocks, but everything else is AM spec. For the record.

M

The current Aston Martin V12 engine bears very little resemblance to the original Ford Duratec-derived V12 engine from a few years back. The current V12 is the product of a very thorough redesign in 2005 that resulted in better performance, emission, economy, and reduced weight.

But I can see why Aston Martin would like to replace its V12 engine with a newer V12 that possess even better overall performance. Also, if memory serves me correctly, the Aston Martin V12 is still being produced in a dedicated area inside the Ford engine plant in Cologne, Germany. Who knows what would happen if Ford decides to end production or begin charging Aston Martin higher prices for the engines.

A long term engine-drivetrain supply deal with Mercedes Benz makes perfect sense to me.

What doesn't make sense to me is Aston Martin playing a part in the Maybach brand. It may result in lower costs, but almost certainly not a better product at the end.

 

[Merc1]

^^^^ All good points.

I'm sure there are other behind the scenes ties with Ford too. The only thing I'd want Aston to do for Maybach is help with the design and maybe the interior. The guts, i.e. engineering of the car I want Mercedes to handle the majority of. However what Maybach doesn't need is a Aston-Martin looking car, but one that looks just as good. Something tough to do. They need to rehire or contract Bruno Sacco to see what he'd come up with for a new Maybach.

M

 

[Wunderkind]

^^^^ All good points.

I'm sure there are other behind the scenes ties with Ford too. The only thing I'd want Aston to do for Maybach is help with the design and maybe the interior. The guts, i.e. engineering of the car I want Mercedes to handle the majority of. However what Maybach doesn't need is a Aston-Martin looking car, but one that looks just as good. Something tough to do. They need to rehire or contract Bruno Sacco to see what he'd come up with for a new Maybach.

M

I never liked Aston Martin interiors. They are spoiled with Ford Group switches. The Vanquish interior made me puke.

 

[Merc1]

I never liked Aston Martin interiors. They are spoiled with Ford Group switches. The Vanquish interior made me puke.

Yeah the Vanquish did have a parts bin interior, but the current appear to have changed that no?

M

 

[Wunderkind]

Yeah the Vanquish did have a parts bin interior, but the current appear to have changed that no?

M

No, I still don't like the current DB9 interior. The controls are too fuzzy. There is no clarity. The air-con and audio controls look very busy and cheap. The rotary dials look and feel cheap.

 

[NarutoRamen]

Well, if it's a new V12 AM wants, I think AMG is the right way to go. After all, it's doing wonders for Pagani.

 

[Merc1]

New Video:

Autocar Videos - Autocar.co.uk


M

 

[Shining Star]

Car looks pretty good.

 

[Merc1]

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[PanterroR]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSn...-nr2J_7t8A/s1600-h/Aston-Martin-Rapide-23.JPG

 

[martinbo]

Thanks Tyc - the more I see the more I love...

It looks like such a well-rounded touring machine. I'm impressed with the luggage space (my wife would be impressed with the luggage!) and I'm curious to see how small the back is in real life. Nevertheless, my nearly six year old will love it back there - especially with her own entertainment enviro.

I could see myself touring the Cape in this car, as much as I could a Panamera. This will just get you noticed better on the forecourt of Cape Town's finest.

 

[PanterroR]

It looks like such a well-rounded touring machine. I'm impressed with the luggage space (my wife would be impressed with the luggage!) and I'm curious to see how small the back is in real life. Nevertheless, my nearly six year old will love it back there - especially with her own entertainment enviro.

Bastard! Now i know you're planning to get one...

 

[martinbo]

^ Yeah right... In my wildest. Hmmm, I reckon the jump from a two-Scoob garage to something like a Rapide is completely beyond feasible, I'm afraid.

Nevertheless, we persist.

As much as I can dream about and adore the Rapide for what it is, I'm afraid that one will never make it to my garage, regardless of how much money we have. I'm too sober, too practically-minded and definitely not the show-offy type. I'd much rather an F10 M5 or E63 AMG and save a wallop of dosh. I suspect that even a Panamera Turbo will be considerably cheaper than the Aston Rapide down here.

The Aston is a seriously delicious looking piece of kit - it'll fit in perfectly in a wealthy man's garage next to his DBS or Vantage V12 - for those who place the aesthetic above outright engineering.

Make no mistake, I love cars that look beautiful but I prefer cars that first exhibit engineering merit for what they're intended to be. If it happens to look fantastic then that's an added bonus. By all means, the Rapide is an impressively engineered machine, but at that money there's a shitload more impressive stuff to be had...

 

[PanterroR]

Make no mistake, I love cars that look beautiful but I prefer cars that first exhibit engineering merit for what they're intended to be.

By all means, the Rapide is an impressively engineered machine, but at that money there's a shitload more impressive stuff to be had...

Agreed.

 

[ree]

Looks like a Fisker from the front side view…

 

[Wolfgang]

Aston Martin Wins Manufacturer of the Year Award

The FINANCIAL -- Aston Martin has been crowned Manufacturer of the Year 2009 by leading automotive magazine CAR Middle East.

According to Aston Martin, the prestigious award ceremony held at The Address Downtown Burj Dubai, was attended by the most influential of the region’s motoring industry. A total of 15 awards were shared out among the elite of the automotive world. Director of Design, Marek Reichman accepted the award on behalf of Aston Martin.

The ceremony was held to coincide with the Middle East International Motor Show, where Aston Martin showcased an impressive line-up, consisting of the One-77 supercar, Rapide four-door sports car, DBS Volante and V12 Vantage.

Tom Bird, Editor of CAR magazine Middle East, rationalises the marque’s achievement as it completes one of the busiest years in its history: “It has been a busy year for the British sports car maker. It returned to 24-hour endurance racing in Le Mans, revived the Lagonda nameplate with an interesting concept car in Geneva, showed off a city car and its ramping itself up for the launch of the four-door Rapide. Aston Martin is showing itself to be one of the most forward thinking and fast acting car companies around. For all of these reasons, Aston Martin is our Manufacturer of the Year for 2009”.

Aston Martin has experienced very strong growth in the Middle East in recent years. Ten years ago only 15 cars were sold in the region per annum; this figure has now increased exponentially with sales reaching 150 in 2009.

The FINANCIAL - Aston Martin Wins Manufacturer of the Year Award