RE: Aston Martin Rapide S revealed
Discussion
George29 said:
This! Aston can't win. Every time they revise or bring out a new model people either whinge that it's too different and looked better before, or that it looks the same.
Even when they try to be completely different (i.e. V12 Zagato) they get comments saying that the old car looks better.
And why aren't people focusing on the 100+ bhp power hike? Surely that's a good thing?
Maybe because they mainly restyled only one feature of the car, an iconic feature, and screwed it up? The extra power is good, but somewhat academic in the days of 500+ bhp from all cars in this sector. This whole Rapide S exercise has been a step backward in my opinion. Porsche at least got the function right with the Panamera, if not the form. I have to say that they may have nailed it with the Sport Turismo.Even when they try to be completely different (i.e. V12 Zagato) they get comments saying that the old car looks better.
And why aren't people focusing on the 100+ bhp power hike? Surely that's a good thing?
As a former Vanquish S owner, it pains me to see this Rapide S from the front. I want a modern beautiful version of the Vanquish, with the functionality of the Panamera. Easy to say, but impossible to deliver it seems.
toppstuff said:
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/rapide-...
If the Rapide is Aston's best selling car then i would be very worried indeed.
Production of the Rapide was originally slated at 2000 a year, all subbed out to Magna Steyr in Austria. They had an 8 year deal.
Sales have been so weak that Aston called their opt-out on the Magna steyr deal only 2 years into the 8 year deal, bringing manufacture to the UK instead.
Rather than 2000 a year, it looks like they will be lucky to make 500 a year. Maybe even less. Rapide production line has even been halted on occasion because of poor demand.
Can't say I am surprised. There simply is not enough market in a 4 door 2+2. The Rapide is neither fish nor fowl and therefore, IMO, is something of a waste of development money that could have been spent better. They should have put another few inches in the wheelbase if they were serious about this , but I guess funds would'nt allow?
Not 100% true, but not far off the truth.If the Rapide is Aston's best selling car then i would be very worried indeed.
Production of the Rapide was originally slated at 2000 a year, all subbed out to Magna Steyr in Austria. They had an 8 year deal.
Sales have been so weak that Aston called their opt-out on the Magna steyr deal only 2 years into the 8 year deal, bringing manufacture to the UK instead.
Rather than 2000 a year, it looks like they will be lucky to make 500 a year. Maybe even less. Rapide production line has even been halted on occasion because of poor demand.
Can't say I am surprised. There simply is not enough market in a 4 door 2+2. The Rapide is neither fish nor fowl and therefore, IMO, is something of a waste of development money that could have been spent better. They should have put another few inches in the wheelbase if they were serious about this , but I guess funds would'nt allow?
rs200evo said:
Maybe because they mainly restyled only one feature of the car, an iconic feature, and screwed it up?
Maybe they only restyled the iconic feature as people were whinging that they all look the same? They would struggle to keep a lot of the iconic features and make it look different.I'm not saying I like the new grille, but it does look a fair bit different to the normal Rapide.
George29 said:
toppstuff said:
Utterly pointless car IMO.
Sales are woefully short of the original targets. They are rather polishing a poo here, IMO.
Where have you got the data from for that statement? I was under the impression that the Rapide is the best selling model from the current range. Maybe not in the UK, but it's not designed for here.Sales are woefully short of the original targets. They are rather polishing a poo here, IMO.
Neil1300R said:
Greenslade said:
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
The Rapide is currently the biggest selling model.The really need to reduce their model range. That grill is awful
IMHO the best loking Aston was V8 Vantage from 06
Like many have said, Aston lost me awhile back when each and everything they offer is simply a derivative of the DB9.
Neil1300R said:
Greenslade said:
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
The Rapide is currently the biggest selling model.The really need to reduce their model range. That grill is awful
IMHO the best loking Aston was V8 Vantage from 06
k by failing to get any of the current models into the (currently) 7th most successful movie of all time.I would say that looks are not the issue given the Panamera's success.
If the Rapide is the low selling model then it makes sense to introduce a controversial grille on this model before shooting yourself in the foot changing the mainstream cars.
I do think it's an accommodation issue but, had I the money, I would have bought a Rapide as a bigger DB9 as I prefer the proportions. I'm sure that most people, even rich ones, just want one car to do everything though, making a Range Rover or Porsche the better option. As we know, second choice is first loser.
If the Rapide is the low selling model then it makes sense to introduce a controversial grille on this model before shooting yourself in the foot changing the mainstream cars.
I do think it's an accommodation issue but, had I the money, I would have bought a Rapide as a bigger DB9 as I prefer the proportions. I'm sure that most people, even rich ones, just want one car to do everything though, making a Range Rover or Porsche the better option. As we know, second choice is first loser.
jamespink said:
ideal school run car!
Ideal how? Because it has 4-doors?Well you've just set the bar pretty low. Using that logic, a Kia Picanto is also ideal.
IMHO, Aston lost their way a long time ago and have been treading water ever since. Unless they are very lucky - read huge financial injection / very beneficial strategic partnership - I fear the Aston many of us grew up lusting after will die, or continue to limp on in an undignified, smoke and mirrors PR, manner.
Sticking a V12 in your car doesn't make it a great one. Banging on about the link to 007 doesn't make it 'cool' and pulling the British card has less impact than when they could legitimately state they were. Of course, this is my personal opinion but as a previous customer and hearing similar comments from plenty of other ex-customers, I'm inclined to feel that Aston have lost their way and (like many other car companies) need to start treating their potential customer pool as intelligent consumers and not morons, swayed by pretty pictures, sycophantic journo reviews and flashy PR.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff