Aston Martin’s new owners have confirmed plans to produce the Rapide four-door luxury sports car, which was previewed in concept form last year. Ulrich Bez, who will remain CEO of Aston, said the Rapide would add another 1000 to 2000 cars to last year’s record output of 7000, according to the U.K.’s Times. Previously, Bez said the company only planned to make between 300 and 500 Rapides per year.
“This is an incredible opportunity – Aston Martin is one of the world’s most iconic brands,” said Prodrive boss David Richards, head of the consortium to buy Aston.
“David Richards and I have a great deal of mutual respect for each other and we are equally passionate about realising the brand’s full potential,” Bez added. He said the company would take on 200 more workers.
The Rapide will be the second new model launched by Aston Martin’s new leadership. The first will be the DBS coupe, which will arrive later this year.
03/13, 12:09 PM
posted by:
Stuart
This car looks more beautiful the more I look at it. I just hope prodrive and Ulrich Bez can make Aston Martin a true Porsche Rival.
03/13, 12:10 PM
posted by:
imageWIS
Sweet…it will be the best looking 4-door in the world.
Jon.
03/13, 12:38 PM
posted by:
Ricardo Head
I’ll go rapide on that chick.
03/13, 1:06 PM
posted by:
global_lightning
From the Press Release:
“Now Rapide owners will no longer be restricted to just one hot, leggy super-model passenger. Designed in collaboration with Hugh Hefner to accomodate his ‘family’, the Rapide is perfect for the multi-millionaire who doesn’t have to settle for just monogamy…”
03/13, 1:21 PM
posted by:
SRT-4Ken
————hmmnn…, i wonder which one will look better AFTER THE RAPS ARE OFF, rapide or panamera…..
03/13, 1:46 PM
posted by:
gumby
YESSSSSSSSSS!!!
03/13, 1:54 PM
posted by:
SRT-4Ken
———>for real homeboy?? i always wanned to know if the entire roofline on the panamera mules are fake or real because to me its not lookin too much closer 2 a 4door coupe than a hyaundai sonata…..can you give me a link so i can see ‘em??….
03/13, 2:45 PM
posted by:
greatfox
…911
03/13, 2:50 PM
posted by:
SRT-4Ken
———–>more desirable? in think 911……….
03/13, 2:54 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
db9 is more exclusive, 911 more desireable
03/13, 3:24 PM
posted by:
Aston Martin
The DB9 is the ultimate supercar (apart from the Bugatti Veyron, but that’s in a dimension of its own). The DB9 is beautiful, classy and British. The definition of Aston. The 911 is a try-hard, ugly piece of rubbish by comparison. Everyone will hate you because of it and call you a show-off. The DB9 is styled with love, built with care and passion and driven by Bond. The DB9 has soul. It will make you feel that your automotive life is complete. It is a climax, a summit for everyone else to follow. The Porsche is just a boy racer’s car. It will be faster than the Aston, and won’t break down as often, but just looking at it, you can tell there’s nothing special, nothing to really make you stop and look and scrutinize; its just another 911. The Aston has that jaw-dropping charm, that sense of occasion, and that makes it much more than a few bits of metal and leather and plastic put together to make people travel quickly. It is excellence defined, and no Porsche can match it.
Otherwise, the Rapide is very, very promising. Beautiful car, beautiful girl. I love it.
03/13, 5:13 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
am is doing a fabulous job in the design dept, instantly recogniseable and gracefully beautiful, each one is a work of art ready to be displayed to the world.
pure love goo on wheels.
03/13, 5:35 PM
posted by:
1966_GTO_
If I was buying an AM it definitely wouldn’t be this one, but this will rival the Maserati Quattroporte for the sexiest four door. Based on what I’ve seen so far from Porsche doesn’t excite me the least bit.
03/13, 6:05 PM
posted by:
gitcypher
Ummm 300 – 500 units per year should increase sales 1000 – 2000 per year.
Now, I’m no business man, but I am a mathematician.
03/13, 6:56 PM
posted by:
norsairius
if anyone can make a good-looking 4-door, it’s aston martin.
03/14, 12:37 AM
posted by:
meekin111
beats the **** through panamera, in looks at least, perhaps not performance
03/14, 2:26 AM
posted by:
Adrio
Gorgeous car. Damn I need 100k asap.
03/14, 7:02 AM
posted by:
Get Real
Where do these women exist with legs that long ???
03/14, 12:26 PM
posted by:
Syrax
here they do…(Ana Hickmann was once listed in the Guinness Book Of World Records for being “The model with the longest legs”, measuring 48″ (123 cm.) out of a total height of 73″ (6′1″), 185 cm.)
03/14, 5:01 PM
posted by:
doublearon21
Hey Aston Martin, Just so you know Aston Martin doesn’t make any supercars, there is a BIG difference between a supercar and what AM makes. Not saying they aren’t possibly the sexiest cars in the world, because I think the new DB9 is drop dead gorgeous, but it is in the GT Sports Car Class, not the supercar class.
03/15, 10:37 AM
posted by:
55amg
ummm, cool, i like it alot but i will still prefer a CLS63 no matter what. Its just cooler.
03/15, 12:50 PM
posted by:
RLX02
Stuart, you cant compare porsche to aston. Porsche has always been about racing. Have you ever sat inside of one or driven it? You’re not exactly in the lap of luxury, compared to the Aston.
Aston is about style, grace…which is why their cars are more of GT’s than anything else.