Monday 25th February 2013

AM Rapide Shooting Brake revealed

Shame it's only a one-off concept by Bertone. Go on, Aston, you know you want to...

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Fnergh. That, or as close as can be commuted from audio to print, was our initial reaction upon opening these first shots of Bertone’s latest concept. It’s called the Jet 2+2, and it is, we think you’ll agree, rather comely.

Phwoar. Is there a better-looking estate?

It’s based on the Aston Martin Rapide making it, in effect, a Rapide Shooting Brake, and it follows on from Bertone’s previous Vanquish-based Jet 2 concept that was first shown in 2004. We don’t know about you, but we reckon the addition of the two rear doors balance the shape nicely, making the Jet 2+2 an even more shapely thing than its predecessor.

Under the skin, mechanicals are shared with the standard Rapide – in other words, it gets the same 5.9-litre V12 with 470hp, driving the rear wheels through a semi-automatic gearbox, which should give it the ability to hit the 62mph benchmark in under five seconds. Inside, meanwhile, the Rapide’s interior also remains largely unchanged, with four individual seats, although new wood, aluminium and leather trims mark it out as being that little bit more special. The Jet 2+2 also boasts the ability to fold the rear seats flat, meaning you could almost call it practical. Maybe?

Jet 2 was 2+2's predecessor

Sadly, though, as much as that might make it a whisker more justifiable a proposition, you can’t buy one. The Jet 2+2 is strictly a one-off concept planned for Geneva. That said, given increasing popularity of fast estates, and apparent competition in the form of Porsche's Panamera Sport Turismo, perhaps some wheedling in the general direction of Newport Pagnell might convince them that this is exactly what they need to make next.

Even if they don't, we're sure enough money thrown at Bertone would convince them to build another as a bespoke special, in the style of Touring Superleggera's Alfa Romeo 8C-based Disco Volante, or their less-slinky but equally agreeable Bentley Continental Flying Star. There are, in fact, so many big coupe-based brakes to choose from these days that Aston Martin would pretty much be rude not to build one from a Rapide. Or something.

[V41LEY]

This is nothing as nice as the old one up for auction in the US last weekend. Redford conversion of a DB5 from memory. Reserve was $400k I think.

[chrissull]

That looks absolutely fantastic.

[AyBee]

Wibble

That looks stunning! I'd have this over the FF anyday and I doubt it would be anywhere near as expensive

[Harji]

It's a hatchback, a stunning one though.

[g3org3y]

[Shaw Tarse]

This deserves to be more than a one off.

[Fetchez la vache]

Shaw Tarse said:

This deserves to be more than a one off.

Amen

[PhilboSE]

It's a lovely looking thing but it's not an estate - just look at the side profile, there's no real space behind the second door. More like a fastback.

[mike-r]

First Aston in a while with wheels that don't want to make me cry.

Very nice.

Saw a Rapide on the road for the first time and couldn't help but think I'd hate to ever ride in the back of one, they look far too small. Unless the seats sit really low down.

[AmitG]

That is a truly beautiful car. Bravo.

I presume this car is road-legal. If so, it surely goes to show that it is possible to design good looking cars within current EU safety regulations.

(I say this because EU regulations are sometimes blamed for the blobby, formless and graceless designs of some modern cars.)

[V8 FOU]

First Aston I have seen that I really like. Soo... 1st road test this v Ferrari FF??

[Whiters]

Truly stunning. That rear three quarter angle is beautiful.

Really like the Rapide, but adore this.

[tinyh98]

Anyone else getting a whiff of VW Scirocco from the rear three quarter?

Edited by tinyh98 on Monday 25th February 13:32

[George29]

I'm amazed there has been no 'All Astons look the same' comments yet

Looks great but personally I prefer the normal Rapide.

[Bobley]

I imagine this model could make up for 50% of all Rapide production....

... so it'll probably be a one off.

[Carnnoisseur]

I actually prefer this over the current Rapide, stunning!

[MyCC]

Bobley said:

I imagine this model could make up for 50% of all Rapide production....

... so it'll probably be a one off.

That was my first thought when I saw it. Announce that a limited number will be built for £250k and it will be a good way to shift the slow selling stock of Rapide bodies and provide more money for the coffers.

I love Aston Martin design and I hope they can sort out their financial plight as it would be a tragedy if they disappeared in years to come.

Regards,

My CC.

[davidf4]

Looks like it's been sat on to me.

[AmitG]

mike-r said:

Saw a Rapide on the road for the first time and couldn't help but think I'd hate to ever ride in the back of one, they look far too small. Unless the seats sit really low down.

I have sat in the Rapide, both front and back. My experience of the back was that you do indeed sit very low, so headroom is not an issue (I'm 5'7" and had lots of spare headroom). But it is cossetting to the point of being rather claustrophobic. I felt boxed in by all the trim pieces and the sloping roofline. It is beautifully finished but it felt too cosy for me.

[treetops]

I've said it before Hot Estates are the future!