CloseJun 10, 2009 5:39:13 PM
Something about the dimensions just doesn't look right to me. I guess that's what happens when you just stretch a DB9.
http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090610.006/aston-martin-rapide-caught-undisguised-in-parking-lot
Jun 10, 2009 6:04:51 PM
Jun 10, 2009 7:09:09 PM
We obviously are about to see a rise of the 4 door coupes fashion. For once Mercedes was the trendsetter with the CLS. This Rapide is much more elegant and nicer to the eye than the Panamera, but it lacks a clear distinction from the basis DB9. Somehow reminds me of that four door 996 protoype done for a Ferry Porsche birthday, which was just a stretched 996. Granted it is more subtle than that, particularly in the back, which i quite like, but the front lacks the individuality of the Panamera (which speaks Corvette 
).
I look forward to see how two of the imo best actual design maestros master the 4door coupe challenge: I'm talking of W. Egger and da Silva with the new S5 Sportback. It could well be that this car, while costing half of the other two turns out to be the best design! Having owned - and loved the coupe but needing more space I'm willing to look into it.
With a little luck it will already be unveiled on June 16th at the 100th Audi bday party - look forward to that! 
racerx:
ps something reallu ugly in the background pic 2.
That's a Renault Megane a VW Golf rival (on paper). This model has been superceded recently by a new one of slightly better styling.
reginos:
racerx:
ps something reallu ugly in the background pic 2.
That's a Renault Megane a VW Golf rival (on paper). This model has been superceded recently by a new one of slightly better styling.
Thanks for the info, I like the golf / rabbit, had 2 years ago and they look much better these days.
Which is ok, because the Rapide is more or less a DB9 with a usable backseat for real kids, not the dog seats in the DB9 which not even dogs will fit.
Aston didn't create the Rapide to compete against S-Class/7/A8/Bentley, it is a driver's car like the CLS where the owner is the driver, not the guy in the back being driven around.
Porsche made the mistake of not making the Panamera a owner's driving car, and the design suffers.
Gnil:
A streched DEB9 does not do it for me
I prefer a chape with more caracter.....this is too boring and looks strange.
+1
The Rapide looks exactly how a stretched limo manufacturer would convert a DB-something to 4 doors.
You know, the thing is the following.
Modern sports cars "golden cut" is 2 third front and one third rear. Means a long hood and a short, but curvy tail. What they do with those streched Sportcars is, they take the front up to the B-Pillar and extend the rear. In fact, the golden cut is gone, the flow has something wrong. In case of the Rapide, the rear door is just to short compared to the front door (which is nicely streched), this looks clumsy!
The Rapide looks exactly how a stretched limo manufacturer would convert a DB-something to 4 doors
That's exactly its problem! it looks nice and elegant, but it's a bit bland. The Panamera doesnt look bland, but unfortunately it's ugly. Cleary a car where Maurer- the designer who did some nice and clean pieces of work before - was forced to make too many compromises by marketing/packaging and Wiedeking who asked for more headroom. pity, lost chance!!
Still the car will be a success and contribute to make these four door coupes fashionable; still, my money is going to be on the Audi designers and their solution for the challenge with the A5 sportback and the A7 sportback.
@ Lars
As you state the proportions are not correct, though they tried to expand the back doors to the C pillar. Panamera looks better under this aspect.. Also this 996 looks better regarding this aspect. But the Rapide has the problem that it lacks individuality on the front as it's too much DB9 stretch version, just like this 996 who is just a stretch version of a normal 996 (meaning not an individual model like the Panamera will be)
turbolite:
@ Lars
As you state the proportions are not correct, though they tried to expand the back doors to the C pillar. Panamera looks better under this aspect.. Also this 996 looks better regarding this aspect. But the Rapide has the problem that it lacks individuality on the front as it's too much DB9 stretch version, just like this 996 who is just a stretch version of a normal 996 (meaning not an individual model like the Panamera will be)
When this car was designed there was no 996. In fact the design was subsequently shortened and utilised some years later for the new Carrera.
@Turbolite,
I somehow agree. I also want to add, that the DB9 is kind to old anyway and would need a refresh IMO.
Regarding that 996-four door. I have the same problem with this car. The ratios are not sporty anymore. Anyhow, its much better solved I would say,
Whoopsy:
Porsche made the mistake of not making the Panamera a owner's driving car, and the design suffers.
There is a simple reason : they couldn't care less how we in the West view this egg on wheels car , this thing is made specifically for the " booming " Chinese auto market which if not already , will be for the next several decades the largest in units sold in the world , and where there is no tradition of statement " driver's cars " but only of statement " party official " cars , so it's about being seen ( driven) in the BACK of the car . We are 4th to 6th generation drivers . They are first generation , as if it's 1915 . In another 1/2 generation that will change .
Jun 11, 2009 10:23:46 PM
Jun 12, 2009 1:32:28 AM
Jun 12, 2009 1:53:07 AM
Horrible!! OMG, that is so bad. It's an AM for christ sake... Pay $$$ only to have a family pull beside your DB9 in this stretched thing. WTF
AM not only ruined this attempt at a 4dr but also ruined their DB9 line-up. Not surprised if they go under hahaha.
Why would you give it the same taillights 
2005 Ford Focus S, 5spd
1986 Porsche 944, 5spd
MKW:
There is a simple reason : they couldn't care less how we in the West view this egg on wheels car , this thing is made specifically for the " booming " Chinese auto market which if not already , will be for the next several decades the largest in units sold in the world , and where there is no tradition of statement " driver's cars " but only of statement " party official " cars , so it's about being seen ( driven) in the BACK of the car . We are 4th to 6th generation drivers . They are first generation , as if it's 1915 . In another 1/2 generation that will change .
Pretty good points, Chinese is probably Panamera's primary market, we are just the afterthoughts. This can also explain why the Panamera is priced so high, cause in China, they perceive quality with price, the higher the price, the better it must be.
I read somewhere that in China in the golf shops, those $4000+ Honma irons are flying off the shelf while $1000 Callaway and Taylor Made sit in the back shelf. They think if you play a set of Callaway, you are a nobody who can't play because you cannot afford the price of a set of Honma. Those Honma are crazy expensive, they even have gold versions, crazy.
I am liking the Rapide more and more, one of the reason being with the Panamera getting so expensive, it's getting up there with the Aston and the Rapide just looks sooooo much better, it's a extremely hansome car and with the money I am paying for a Panamera Turbo, I might as well add a little more and upgrade to the Rapide.
I am liking the Rapide more and more, one of the reason being with the Panamera getting so expensive, it's getting up there with the Aston and the Rapide just looks sooooo much better, it's a extremely hansome car and with the money I am paying for a Panamera Turbo, I might as well add a little more and upgrade to the Rapide.
Well, wasnt this always like this on Porsche? A simple Carrera S always needed 30% on top for some decent specs.
I never speced a AM, so dont know if this is a difference. But in the past, the Porsches have been more stable in the price as the AM. Nowadays, I guess, its not a big difference anymore.
Third thought, in Germany they will already look jealous when coming with the Porsche, but with the AM they simply will avoid to make any biz with you.
Aug 20, 2009 7:37:13 PM
Aug 20, 2009 7:53:23 PM
Carlos from Spain:
wow, if it looks this good in pictures for a 4-door, I can only imagine the presence this car will have in real life...
Agreed! Looks really good and definitely much better than expected from the last pics.
The secret of life is to admire without desiring.
Aug 20, 2009 7:59:57 PM
Atzporsche:Why would you give it the same taillights
The Rapide will be built in very small numbers, and tooling and development costs for those light units will be very high.
Just think of it, if you only build a thousand cars and the tooling costs amount to a million dollars, having a dedicated light design would add $ 1000 to the price of the car, but would not add anything to its functional value.
fritz
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