RE: Aston Martin Rapide S revealed

[Graebob]

The grill will look ok once it's got a number plate on it

[kwak]

Sigh, yet another manufacturer going with the "Huge gaping hole" styling. Seriously, why do they all go for enormous grilles all of a sudden? It started with audi, then citroen, hyundai and lexus jump on it, and now even Aston starts to ruin their cars look with that?

[DonkeyApple]

These are great looking 4 door GTs. I don't think there is a more elegant car in this niche sector.

And a huge plus that it is NA. We are all going to regret this move to FI to get lower CO2 numbers.

[jhoneyball]

Wonder if anyone else will spot that the accelleration is about the same, cos the torque is the same. The power goes up, but *only* cos of a raised rev limiter. Hence will be just as quick as the old car, despite the bar-wars headline power output (which is wholly misleading) QED

[MonteV]

Aston Martin desperately searching for ways to renew their perfected design language. Fail. That grille is a hideous abomination - get rid of it.

[GroundEffect]

Interesting that they've left no area for a number plate attachment.

[yeti]

jhoneyball said:

Wonder if anyone else will spot that the accelleration is about the same, cos the torque is the same. The power goes up, but *only* cos of a raised rev limiter. Hence will be just as quick as the old car, despite the bar-wars headline power output (which is wholly misleading) QED

I think everyone needs to know that you have no idea what you're talking about. This is the latest generation engine (as the 310 Vanquish) with knock sensing, variable camshaft timing and so on. You really think eighty horsepower comes from moving the rev limiter?

Try a little reading and understanding, TAGL :wavy:

[folos]

Looks like a fiesta :-)

[Greenslade]

I didn't think the Rapide was selling very well so why another model that looks the same as almost every other Aston - (aside from extra doors)
The really need to reduce their model range. That grill is awful
IMHO the best loking Aston was V8 Vantage from 06

[GroundEffect]

jhoneyball said:

Wonder if anyone else will spot that the accelleration is about the same, cos the torque is the same. The power goes up, but *only* cos of a raised rev limiter. Hence will be just as quick as the old car, despite the bar-wars headline power output (which is wholly misleading) QED

But you can then run different gearing to get more torque at the wheels, ergo more acceleration.

[pSyCoSiS]

Agree with the comments regarding the grill.

Rest of the car looks good, though.

And that interior is just sublime.

[Vocal Minority]

TAHodgson said:

"Aston Martin's all look the same!"

Aston Martin changes appearance slightly (and I think well!)

"They've ruined it"

PH will never be happy...

Only if you presume different is automatically better. I don't think the grill suits the proportions of the car.

(Incidentally, the Zagato Aston is different, and I rather like it)

[LuS1fer]

Pah!

It's obvious what Aston are trying to do here!

They're trying to make their cars look like Fords!

Liked the last Rapide greatly. Don't like this grille but still an 8/10 for the extra power. Best thing about it is that it's not a Merc/BMW/Audi/Maserati.

[B10]

Is there still going to be a non S version?
Has production moved from Austria to Gaydon?

[Helicopter123]

Ze Germans still boss this sector.

[NGK210]

Visionist said:

What the HELL's going on with that Sh*t eating grille?!

Abominable.

Indeed. It all started with the Audi A6 'beard'. VAG's bean counters/product planners researched Chinese buyers' preferences. And high on their list of priorities for styling was a 'king great grille because it's a sign of "prestige".

Hence all new cars are styled for China. Which is nice for the rest of the world.

Edited by NGK210 on Wednesday 23 January 09:27

[oilit]

Dan Trent said:

Aston Martin's press release said:

"The lowered engine, new bonnet, new front bumper construction and new grille combine to deliver a uniquely innovative approach to pedestrian impact protection.

"The patent-pending design – which features a unique ‘keystone’ construction – enables the grille to move rearwards on impact, ....."

So that's the official line on it at least.

Cheers,

Dan

whenever i have seen a front end impact the grill ALWAYS moves rearwards - not sure they will get a patent on that !!!!!

[A Scotsman]

How the heck can I carry my 9mth old granddaughter in the back of that?

[FreiWild]

The new front certainly is no improvement, but from the sides it still is a very elegant and pretty car. Why they do not change anything about the rear is beyond me though, it looks dated and quite frankly boring.

[Cheib]

IDrinkPetrol said:

Styled by Pixar?

What he said.