New Aston Martin Rapide

I've got a CD promo from my local AM guy. That car is the most beautiful sedan I've ever laid eyes on. Gorgeous. "We can get you one," was their response to me. So it will go into production. **** I was going to be number one on the Vanq replacement, now................

 

Wow, I love it.

If the backseat is 7-series big at least, I'll get one.

 

Too expensive for the market. It is not Rolls-Royce or Maybach style. They need to shoot at the S65/Bentley Flying Spur crowd. Make it $200K, and they will sell very well.

 

Exactly. Anywhere from $150-$200K and they'll have a homerun. As I said before, the development costs would be minimal since it's basically a four door DB9. It would definitely be cheaper to develop than an all new Vanquish, which is basically vanquished by the 599.

I emailed Aston and they said that while they don't have plans to build it they're closely monitoring the public's reaction. We'll see. I say they'd be fools not to build it. They'll sell more of the Rapide than they've sold of the Vanquish and DB9 combined.


Forza,



Cavallini

 

this is poor effort in design... sure the lagonda would have been worse to source from, but this just looks like a db9 with 4 doors...

 

And what's wrong with that?



Forza,


Cavallini

 

The reason why it's a stretched DB9 is because of the "VH" platform, wherein wheelbase can be stretched or shortened and a new body placed over it. As such, the Rapide concept vehicle was developed in only 4 months.

I was told it will probably go into production as a limited run of 500.

Similarly, the DBS made for the new Bond movie was also designed over/around the VH platform. This is a one off vehicle made specifically for the movie, but "probably" will influence the shape of the Vanq replacement.

All I know is I can't decide which one I'm gonna get.

 

I hope they don't price and low production volume it into something I can't afford. I really like that car and REALLY want one.

 

Mid 2007 release date, $250k.

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060220/SUB/60217014/1116/rss02&rssfeed=rss02

 

That's too high. There's no reason they couldn't build and sell that car for $170-$200 and sell twice as many Rapides as they've sold Vanquish's and DB9s, and steal business from BMW and MB. For $250K it will have to be better than the Vanquish and the DB9 and leaps and bounds better than the new S-class, and by that time, the new 7-series.

It's beautiful but it's not THAT beautiful. They should look at what's selling for RR and Bentley and Maybach, or rather what's not selling for them.

The speed of development isn't surprising because it's just a longer, softer platform from the DB9. Maybe they'll follow Ferrari-Maserati's lead and make it a front-mid, to improve the handling. I doubt it though because that would require too much development time.

When I see it in the flesh I might change my mind about the price.

Forza,


Cavallini

 

An old thread, but I was reading over that Aston Martin wants to target Porsche's new sedan, the BMW and MB ones, and the Maserati star. Are they going to compete that low on price?

 

I don't know what to think. I have heard it will probably go into production as a limited run of 500 or so. Prices or should I say possible prices have ranged between $180s (which implies NOT a limited run, rather a run at Porsche/Bentley etc) to $280s, which would be in line with
a limited run. I don't think anybody really knows.

As a Vanq owner if I want one I can get one. Sadly, the Vanq run will come to an end this year, hence the dilema for me- the Vanq replacement (which is NOT the DBS) or the Rapide.

 

The Vanq is ending?

 

I don't think they will end the vanq, probably have a new version out hopefully with enough power to compete with the 599

 

Yes, the current Vanq will end this year b/c of side air bag issues. the replacement will have 600hp+ to keep up with the big boys. The replacement is NOT the DBS. I don't think they will, but I'd like to see the repacement maintain the "monocoque" configuration of the Vanq rather than the VH platform of the V8/DB9/Rapide.

The only good thing is that AM will probably NOT **** up the replacement as Ferrari DID with the 599. Just look at the AM progression from DB2s-5s, DB7s-9s etc

 

I love the "suble, yet sexy" look of Aston. I hope they don't try to be the aggressive-looking one.

 

I suppose it will just take getting used to... much like the CLS did.