In early February, we reported that the Aston Martin Rapide Concept was nearing approval for production. Later that month, supplier sources told a U.S. magazine that the car had been approved, and 3,000 units per year would be built. Yesterday, for the first time, Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez officially announced the car will be built. However, he said just 300 to 500 cars will be built per year. Bez told Automobilwoche that the automaker isn’t taking orders yet, and a specific timeframe for availability has not been set. However, he as adamant that the car will come to market long before the Porsche Panamera. Recent rumors have suggested the Rapide could come as soon as the 2008 model year, whereas the Porsche will arrive as a 2009 or 2010.
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05/23, 9:15 AM
posted by:
NoName
Yes!!! Cant wait. Aston Martin = sex on wheels…
05/23, 10:00 AM
posted by:
Ryan
Will this be priced closer or above the DB9, or more around the Quattroporte?
05/23, 10:37 AM
posted by:
Marc
I’ll never get one, ever! I just don’t have da money…
05/23, 10:43 AM
posted by:
Anonymous
Marc: I’m like you, but I can certainly cheer for such fine lines. Maybe the next Mazda or Toyota could reach out for such good design.
j i m
05/23, 11:10 AM
posted by:
Asher
Ryan, I think it will be priced close to DB9(160k US) as it basically is a DB9 that has been streched so I would doubt a substantial price decrease…
05/23, 11:47 AM
posted by:
BAMF
I wont be getting one, but I’m sure I’ll see one where I live… theres always people driving around in Ferraris and Bentleys in Winter Park, FL. I’ve only seen three Aston Martins here though.
05/23, 12:02 PM
posted by:
wickedated
I dont know if I like the idea of a “sedan” Aston Martin. Aston is supposed to be the James Bond brand. This car looks like someone took a DB9 and did a stretch limo job to it… I dunno…. and Porsche is losing points in my book with the Cayenne and now the Panamera…
That’s why I’m a Ferrari man.
05/23, 12:03 PM
posted by:
Steve
I really like this model. There was a Ford concept called the Iosis a while back, and if they build that I’ll buy it because it has some similar lines to those of the Rapide. That is how much I want one of these.
05/23, 12:09 PM
posted by:
jim press
If Honda or Toyota could design a car like this, even if form superseded function (backseat head room), these would sell so fast. That’s the only thing keeping them from becoming unbeatable competitors. Undeniable design.
05/23, 12:35 PM
posted by:
gsh
damnit, we need steve jobs to design us an affordable car that looks great. or maybe the new mondeo will look like the iosis concept. either way, this is the future. stay away from bangle designs!
05/23, 1:06 PM
posted by:
BAMF
Yeah actually it’d be nice if Honda or Toyota did expand their range to making some more unique and beautiful cars. They WOULD be unstoppable.
05/23, 2:14 PM
posted by:
Joe
If Honda and toyota made nice cars they will be as expensive. The reason the AM are expensive is because it costs money to make a nice car.
05/23, 2:25 PM
posted by:
BAMF
Yeah, thats what I’m saying. They need to make cars as expensive. Real competitors for cars in all classes. They can do it, and it’d be awesome.
05/23, 2:38 PM
posted by:
Steve
Actually that probably wouldn’t work, not in the US at least. Honda and Toyota are associated with quality and reliability. They have no reputation for Luxury. They would have to at least use the Acura and Lexus names, and would probably have to create third companies to reach that $150,000+ price point.
05/23, 2:42 PM
posted by:
V V
Well at least I would be buying the car because I dont have those kind of funds and probably wount for a while. The car is so so sexy its just nuts.
05/23, 4:19 PM
posted by:
BAMF
Exactly, people buy Hondas and Toyotas for their quality and reliability, and they don’t have a reputation for luxury. I’m not saying that they should build an aston martin competetor right now, but I garuntee they could work their way up pretty high if they decided to. People trust them to build a good car. If they worked on style and luxury, that would complete the package and everyone would buy into it. Lexus has an excellent reputation for luxury, and Acura has at least a bit of style… They both need to work on their style/soul department, and if they got that down, I could see them being serious competitors with a lot of upscale companies.
05/23, 5:04 PM
posted by:
Thing2
wicked, James Bond can now carry around 3 instead of just one of his girlfriends. I think there’s more Bond mojo in the Rapide than any other Aston…
05/23, 5:07 PM
posted by:
Steve
Correction BAMF, they need to create a style/soul department.
05/23, 5:20 PM
posted by:
Marc
Yeah, even though I can’t afford one (I like the design by the way) it is very interesting to note that Aston Martin offers to customize every car they sell. If you do some research on the Internet you’ll discover 4-door Martins and station wagons (shooting brakes) from time to time. I saw a AM V600 as a shooting brake. Strange looking car. I wonder if this new car will be sold as a Lagonda. I think that was their last vehicle that was marketed as a saloon.
05/23, 7:04 PM
posted by:
BAMF
Steve- Fair enough. But still, if they were able to do that, do you doubt they’d be awesome?
05/23, 7:14 PM
posted by:
Steve
Well it’s hard to say. I mean I have never associated those brands with soul and passion, but I guess if they were about that they might be cool. Here’s a question for you though: if they were suddenly passionate, soulful cars would they still be the Honda and Toyota that you know and love?
05/23, 8:17 PM
posted by:
Adam
No they wouldn’t. They could never make cars under the Honda or Toyota name. One of you said a department, if you mean another name (like Acura, Lexus) then maybe but not just a special division with the name still there. Look at what happened to Volkswagen with the Phaeton.
05/23, 9:27 PM
posted by:
Jon
BAMF,
Here in South East Palm Beach County, we see them almost every day, and I see at least 1 Bentley everyday.
Jon.
05/23, 11:53 PM
posted by:
Sean
Please make this car, i love aston martins, even if the company is owned by Ford
05/24, 2:35 AM
posted by:
amanda
Ah come on, an AM with four doors? 4 doors are for homo insipidus, “family man”.