RE: Aston Rapide Footage

[J16GY]

cableguy said:

Isn't it about time for some new designers at Aston

Looks like every other V8 Vantage, DB9 or DBS only with 4 Doors... Ok we know they are stunning looking cars but surely its about time for a re-shape!

C.

Can see your point, but at the same time 'if it aint broke, then dont try to fix it!' personally think they are all stunning cars (not that I will ever be able to afford one!).

[dominicf]

So Aston have a recognised design and you want to change it, now the most profitable performance car company is Porsche and the 911 design hasn't changed since dinasaurs ruled the world!

[Cerbman]

I hope Jaguar bring the new XJ out before that comes out, because if there are any similarities between the 2, Jaguar will be accused of copying Aston Martin.

[peter450]

dominicf said:

So Aston have a recognised design and you want to change it, now the most profitable performance car company is Porsche and the 911 design hasn't changed since dinasaurs ruled the world!

Thats because it's the same car, it would be a differant story if every new non 911 looked just like a 911 too.

The design is nice, but it's "rapidely" starting to loose it's lustre when it gets recycled for every new car aston try an flog

[williamssam]

They could have least tried to make it a little different to the DB9, apart from the fact it's got 2 more doors. It's by no means an ugly car, but surely that'd be better than looking boring?

[Zad]

To me, the thing that makes it look wrong is the rear windscreen. Maybe it is just faked, but it looks like a hunchback. More important though - the sound! It sounds big and beefy as it should, but it sounds detuned in comparison to the DB9 varieties. I know in previous car it woofles quite a bit, almost like a V8, but here it doesn't sound like it is really pushing.

If they had branded it Lagonda, they would have had to have re-bodied it rather than developing the DB9. That would have taken lots more money than AM had at the time.

[poing]

First Aston for a long time that I haven't wanted

It just doesn't do it for me, my head and my heart both say Merc CLS if I'm going for a big sporty looking 4 door.

[IRL]

I liked the car when I seen it the other day.

[sniff petrol]

I like it. 4 door coupes are hard to get right, I'm not keen on the CLS (sorry Wacky Racer) but the rapide really works IMO.

[sjp63]

Needs a bit more work on those rear doors before it goes into production.......

[flattotheboards]

I like it, i hope that it will be a really great car not just a good one.

[Miguel]

Changing the looks of a great looking line of cars because they all look the same is the kind of logic that got BMW to let Bangle do what he did to BMW's. His line was that all BMW's looked like "a sausage cut to different lengths." All production Astons are beautiful. I say leave them alone.

Miguel

[JohnLatham]

shouldbenicholas said:

Agreed, and IMO the Granturismo is even fitter than the QP. My choice in this class every time.

The Granturismo is not really in the same class, as it has only 2 doors.

I think the Rapide looks just fine, i.e. exactly like every other Aston.

The CLS is ugly and droopy, but it's a lot cheaper. I haven't seen the Panamera undisguised yet.

The Vanquish was the high point of modern Aston styling, IMO. Just lovely.

John

[bmassey]

Edited by bmassey on Thursday 24th April 08:30

[vrooom]

I assume this new rapide thingy uses new ford monedo platform hehe

[Pugsey]

If I'm going to have a Rapide then, whilst I totally agree that it should have strong links to current Aston models (gorgeous all of them), I'd still like it to have it's own identity and be a little adventurous too. I DON'T want a 'stretched' DB9. I've seen both the Rapide and Porsches upcoming offering in the flesh and it saddens and suprises me to say that, at this stage, the Porsche is much more exciting and 'different' - while still managing to be very obviously a Porsche. A real suprise given the hideousness that is the Cayenne.

[Adam B]

cableguy said:

Isn't it about time for some new designers at Aston

Looks like every other V8 Vantage, DB9 or DBS only with 4 Doors... Ok we know they are stunning looking cars but surely its about time for a re-shape!

C.

Its called building a brand identity and every car make does it - see BMW or Mercedes or RR or Porsche or anyone really. It is a more obvious family similarity with AM as their current line of 3 cars are all two door coupes. If heaven forbid they did a 4x4 or MPV it would still carry styling cues such as grille etc over from family look, might might stop people banging on about boring design teams.

At least AM have started from a base family design that is fantastic.

[stimmers]

Looks a bit, erm, dull !

[Pugsey]

Adam B said:

cableguy said:

Isn't it about time for some new designers at Aston

Looks like every other V8 Vantage, DB9 or DBS only with 4 Doors... Ok we know they are stunning looking cars but surely its about time for a re-shape!

C.

Its called building a brand identity and every car make does it - see BMW or Mercedes or RR or Porsche or anyone really. It is a more obvious family similarity with AM as their current line of 3 cars are all two door coupes. If heaven forbid they did a 4x4 or MPV it would still carry styling cues such as grille etc over from family look, might might stop people banging on about boring design teams.

At least AM have started from a base family design that is fantastic.

Nothing wrong with brand identity - if the designers are up to it. AM's guys a patently not. All they've done is come up with a 'stretched' DB9. I'd say all current Ferraris are instantly recognisable as such but - for example - a 599 doesn't look like a stretched 430 does it? Laziness/lack of imagination/cost cutting is what the Rapide appears to be about. A real shame and making me think twice about it tbo.

[RichB]

It's a 4 door DB9 and looks fine to me. In the same way as the DB6 was considered a bit bloated following the DB4s & 5s in a few years it will gain acceptance. That said, Aston have really missed an opportunity by not building a Lagonda, that would have allowed them to diverge by some degree away from the accepted Aston styling whilst adding intrigue and interest by re-introducing what was an top of the range marque back in the 30's, in the same way Maercedes did with Maybach.