Tuesday 6th April 2010

Rapide Nurburgring Racer Revealed

Aston Martin prepares its four-door for 24-hour Nordschleife assault

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This is the first official image of the Aston Martin Rapide racing car, which will take part in the Nurburgring 24-hour race on 15-16 May.

Aston Martin is obviously keen to prove the Rapide’s sporting credentials - its new super-saloon will be racing alongside the V12 Vantage coupe at the Nordschleife with none other than Aston CEO Dr Ulrich Bez leading the Rapide driver team.

“The Rapide has the capability to carry four people in comfort but first and foremost it is a sports car and we will subject it to the same tests we would our other sports cars,” says Dr Bez. “This race represents the ultimate final engineering durability test for any sports car – it subjects the car to the toughest possible assessment under public scrutiny.”

The V12 Vantage coupe made its competitive debut at last year’s Nurburgring 24 hours, coming 21st overall and winning its class (SP8) outright.

Aston will carry over its philosophy of making minimal race modifications from the V12 Vantage to the Rapide. The Rapide will in fact be as close as possible to standard specification, albeit with essential race safety modifications, the interior trim removed to reduce weight, re-tuned suspension and slick tyres.

[louismchuge]

Bit more of a marketing exercise than a race car isn't it

[Munter]

louismchuge said:

Bit more of a marketing exercise than a race car isn't it

I don't think so. All manufacturer teams are marketing exercises.

Roll cage, slicks, race suspension, entered into a hard race. Race car.

[Munter]

The Crack Fox said:

Dr Bez says .. "first and foremost it is a sports car" so thats why it has "the capability to carry four people in comfort" then ? Your namesake speaks more sense than this...

At the risk of defending him for no real reason what he said was "It's got space for 4 people if you want to put them in there but really we designed it to be a great sports car 1st and carry people 2nd". It's all marketing bks anyway. The proof is in the driving as always I suspect.

[soad]

Potential photo of the week candidate.

[DJC]

You know what...Im starting to have a real man crush on Doc Bez.

I have no problems with myself for admitting that. The guy is a right proper bloke.

[10JH]

DJC said:

You know what...Im starting to have a real man crush on Doc Bez.

I have no problems with myself for admitting that. The guy is a right proper bloke.

Except for the Cygnet.

[nelly_h]

Not sure if it's the colour, or the wheels, or maybe lack of rear wing, but that looks gash.

First time I've not been impressed looking at an Aston race car

[PascalBuyens]

Dear Mr. Bez,

If you read this, I'd be happy to drive that car around for you on the Nurburgring

[PascalBuyens]

The Crack Fox said:

Dr Bez says .. "first and foremost it is a sports car" so thats why it has "the capability to carry four people in comfort" then ? Your namesake speaks more sense than this...

So based on the fact that it's a four seater, it can't be a sportscar??? Certain 2+2s, and certain rally cars wouldn't be happy to hear this...

[DJC]

10JH said:

DJC said:

You know what...Im starting to have a real man crush on Doc Bez.

I have no problems with myself for admitting that. The guy is a right proper bloke.

Except for the Cygnet.

And?

Let the ladies who lunch drive them about town, or the little daddies girls.

Makes bugger all difference to the proper motors they put out.


And de-value the brand?

Accountants and middle managers driving round damage the Aston brand far more in my humble eyes.

[RichB]

The Crack Fox said:

PascalBuyens said:

The Crack Fox said:

Dr Bez says .. "first and foremost it is a sports car" so thats why it has "the capability to carry four people in comfort" then ? Your namesake speaks more sense than this...

So based on the fact that it's a four seater, it can't be a sportscar??? Certain 2+2s, and certain rally cars wouldn't be happy to hear this...

Certainly not, there are lots of 4 seater sportscars out there, but not many luxo-barges running at Le Mans as a marketing stunt.

• runs for cover *

So is this running at Le Mans?

[vz-r_dave]

RichB said:

The Crack Fox said:

PascalBuyens said:

The Crack Fox said:

Dr Bez says .. "first and foremost it is a sports car" so thats why it has "the capability to carry four people in comfort" then ? Your namesake speaks more sense than this...

So based on the fact that it's a four seater, it can't be a sportscar??? Certain 2+2s, and certain rally cars wouldn't be happy to hear this...

Certainly not, there are lots of 4 seater sportscars out there, but not many luxo-barges running at Le Mans as a marketing stunt.

• runs for cover *

So is this running at Le Mans?

Now that would be interesting lol

[Varsity]

Form a queue for the passenger laps!

[nsmith1180]

Varsity said:

Form a queue for the passenger laps!

Im next in line!! Fair play to em, if they think it can do well.

[RB Will]

They should race it 4 up.

[killingjoker]

Should've been built in the UK and not Austria.

[RichB]

killingjoker said:

Should've been built in the UK and not Austria.

Indeed, I'll bet the craftsmen at Gaydon are not impressed, this is made in Austria while they get to put crappy plastic bumpers on a Toyota IQ

[ewenm]

Well done Aston this is the type of mad plan I like to see

Edited by ewenm on Thursday 8th April 21:41