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| Aston Martin Rapide
Concept (2006) |
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| If you
have a good knowledge of the Aston Martin marque, you will be aware
that almost all models have just two doors. The number of 4 door
Aston Martins (and I don't mean Lagonda's) can be counted on just
one hand. Well on Monday the 9th of January 2006 at the Detroit
Motor Show, Aston Martin stunned the automotive world by unveiling
an unbelievably elegant 4 door hatchback concept called the
Rapide, a name last used on the DB4 based Lagonda Rapide in the
early 1960's. The Rapide has come about because of the flexibility
of the Aston Martin VH architecture. The VH platform is made up of
extruded aluminium, it is both light and strong but has a very neat
trick as it can be modified in both length and width. Thus it is
used as the basis of everything from the V8 Vantage, through the
DBR9 and onto the Rapide.
This concept has come about in an
incredibly short period of time. Initial concept sketches were only made in the
Summer of 2005 by Marek Reichman, Aston Martin's Design Director. Of course it
has a great resemblance to the DB9 but, at least to my eyes is so much better,
more elegant and distinguished. If you want to believe one article that I have
read, the car started as a long wheelbase DB9 with rear legroom where there were
previously none to speak of. Despite all of this extra space, the rear lacked
true accessibility, so the rear doors (still swan doors of course) were then
added. The boot opening has become a practical hatchback much like that of the
V8 Vantage to give perhaps the biggest boot space on any Aston with the
exception of the rare shooting brakes.
The Rapide is the first
concept ever produced in-house within the new Gaydon facility. |
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The Rapide has a number of features
unique to Aston Martin. Starting at the very top is a transparent lightweight
polycarbonate roof which, I guess is full of liquid crystal, can be made opaque
at the flick if a switch. The seats can fold flat so you could sleep in them if
needed. And stopping the fully functioning concept are carbon ceramic brakes, 18
months before they appeared on the DBS. There are a few details that were
showcased on the Rapide Concept such as the new wing mirrors, wing vents with
integral LED's, new column stalks and the smart Jaeger-LeCoultre timepiece in
the centre console. The headlights are an all new design with LED's and
projector bulbs but are unlikely to make production since, I believe the
technology cannot yet
make them bright enough for road use. |
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Having been very fortunate to sit in the Rapide, I
guess you would like my personal view. It's fabulous no doubt about thst and I have no
problem in accepting the idea that it's a sportscar despite having rear doors.
The uprated engine will compensate for the only slight increase in weight. The
interior is exquisite; the centre console is all new and so much better than
that of the DB9 with the smart
Jaeger-LeCoultre timepiece in the centre. The roof is
wonderful; the quality of light in the cabin even under the harsh lights of
Geneva created a little oasis of calm.
I had to sit in the back to
give me an idea if this really works as a four seater. It was a bit tight for
knee room but I will point out that the front seat was in the fully back
position; I had no problem with headroom at all. Getting in and out of the back
was tricky as the rear doors don't open wide enough, but I was told that this
problem had been identified and will be sorted before production. I will go so
far as to say that this is the best interior I have ever seen in an Aston and
reminded me greatly of the sort of work produced at Newport Pagnell during the
80's and 90's. The boot is vast as you can see with hidden under floor chilled
compartments to keep the two magnums of Jacquesson Champagne cool, a chess set
and playing cards. |
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Rapide |
DB9 Coupe |
Difference |
| Length |
5000mm (approx) |
4697 mm
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+ 300mm |
| Width |
1915mm |
1875 mm
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+ 40mm |
| Height |
1358mm |
1318 mm
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+ 40mm |
| Wheelbase |
2990mm |
2740 mm |
+ 250mm |
| Power |
480 bhp |
450 bhp |
+ 30bhp |
| Weight |
1900kg (approx) |
1760 kg (touchtronic) |
+ 140kg |
| Top Speed |
180-190 mph
(est.) |
186mph (manual) |
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| 0-60mph |
under 5.0 seconds
(est.) |
4.9 seconds
(manual) |
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At the time that the Rapide was first shown, we were told
it was just a concept and unlike concepts from other manufacturers, this one
really is capable of being driven. By late May 2006, Dr Bez confirmed in a
magazine interview that AM & Ford had signed off the car for production. With all the other projects that
were advanced in 2006 (DBS and V8 Roadster), the production Rapide will not be seen
until late 2009, but whatever, AM would love to beat the Porsche Panamera to the marketplace. Can I thank Aston Martin for allowing me access
to the Rapide for photography during the 2006 Geneva Salon.
Little known fact - there is a little part of this
website in the Rapide. One of the two packs of playing cards provided are a set
of AM themed 'Top Trumps' with some of photographs from this site. If you would like a set
of cards and cannot yet afford the Rapide, they are available separately from
the official factory website. |
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DB9 Volante MY09 |
Rapide Production Car  |
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