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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 concept came 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 came 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
had a great resemblance to the DB9 but, at least to my eyes was 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 became a practical hatchback much like that of the
V8 Vantage and made perhaps the biggest boot space on any Aston with the
exception of the rare shooting brakes.
The Rapide was also the first
concept ever produced in-house within the new Gaydon facility. |
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The Rapide concept had a number of features
unique to Aston Martin. Starting at the very top was a transparent lightweight
polycarbonate roof which, I guess was full of liquid crystal and could be made opaque
at the flick if a switch. The seats could be folded flat to carry large loads. Stopping the fully functioning concept
were carbon ceramic brakes, 18
months before they appeared on the DBS. There were a few details that were
showcased on the Rapide Concept such as a new door mirror design, wing vents with
integral LED's, new column stalks and the smart Jaeger-LeCoultre timepiece in
the centre console. The headlights were also an all new design with LED's and
projector bulbs but were too ahead of their time to make production. I believe
at the time, the
technology was not able to make the LED headlights bright enough for road use. |
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Having been very fortunate to sit in the Rapide
concept, I
guess you would like my personal view. It was fabulous, no doubt about that and I have no
problem in accepting the idea that it's a sportscar despite having rear doors.
The uprated engine would have compensated for the only slight increase in weight. The
interior was exquisite; the centre console was all new and so much better than
that of the DB9 with the smart
Jaeger-LeCoultre timepiece in the centre. The roof was
wonderful; the quality of light in the cabin even under the harsh lights of
Geneva created a little oasis of calm, shame that at introduction of the
production car, it had not been made optional.
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 didn't appear to open wide enough, but I was told that this
problem had already been identified and was indeed sorted before production. I
would say that it was the best interior I had 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 was 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 (2006MY) |
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 |
claimed 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 was 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
was not seen
until late 2009, and despite trying, AM were unable to beat the not dissimilar 4
door Porsche Panamera to market. 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 concept. One of the two packs of playing cards provided in
the boot are a set
of AM themed 'Top Trumps' with some of photographs from this site. If you would like a set
of cards, they are available separately from
the official factory website. |
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DB9
SE Morning Frost |
Rapide
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