Aston Rapide without camouflage.

Text: Jack Rix / Photos: SB-Medien

16th December 2008

Aston’s four-door super-saloon is heading rapidly towards production! These latest spy shots of the Porsche Panamera-rivalling Rapide, show it in production trim and without any camouflage for the first time.

You can clearly see how Aston have carefully extended the familiar family shape to accommodate the extra pair of rear doors, without ruining the trademark lines and creases in the bodywork.

When the Rapide goes in sale in the third quarter of 2009, it will be fitted with the familiar 6.0-litre V12, producing around 500bhp, although a more powerful version is likely to follow in 2010.

The Rapide is just one of three major launches in a busy 2009 for Aston. The flagship DBS will be joined by a Volante drop-top variant in the summer, while the wild V12 Vantage breaks cover in Spring.

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