Is the Aston Martin Rapide the most scooped car in the world? Now its Stuttgart rival the Porsche Panamera has finally been unveiled, the Rapide must count as one of the most photographed prototypes around. And we’re adding to the list of indiscretions with this latest round of photos snatched in Warwickshire.
Our spyshots reveal the Rapide in near-production trim and we can see how the familiar family look has been stretched and chiselled to turn coupe into limo. It’s a long and elegant shape to accommodate the extra set of doors, but there’s no mistaking this for anything other than an Aston Martin.
Design boss Marek Reichman gave CAR an insight into the new Rapide. ‘The Rapide has got a more muscular feel and appearance than the DB9. The face is slightly prouder, in terms of the way the grille has been picked out. And as you follow the line back there is more emphasis put on the shoulders of the car both front and rear.’
Expect the Rapide on sale in the third quarter of 2009. It’s the first Aston to be built abroad, being assembled by Magna Steyr in Austria.