Rapide Aston Martin concept

04 January 2006

Four-door Rapide to be based on DB9 platform
Could be on sale before rival Porsche Panamera
Concept car on show at Detroit Motor Show

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Aston Martin has stolen a march on the forthcoming Porsche Panamera with this new four-door Rapide, which it unveiled today.

While Porsche has only released a sketch of its high-performance four-door (which our artists have turned into high-quality computer-generated images), Aston Martin is ready with this full-blown and impressive-looking concept for the Detroit Motor Show next week.

Aston Martin has released just this one image so far, and will only say that it demonstrates the flexibility of its 'VH' platform which has already been put to use in the DB9, Volante and Vantage.

It's clear the car will have to be considerably longer than the DB9 to accommodate the extra pair of doors, however, and will also be significantly more expensive than its £103,000 two-door sibling.

While it’s likely the Rapide will make it into production, the company is saying nothing yet about how quickly it could turn it around and deliver it into the hands of owners.

Porsche has said the Panamera won't be in showrooms until 2009, however, so there's a good chance the Rapide could go on sale first.

We'll bring you a more in-depth report and video on the Rapide, and dozens of other new cars, from the show next week. Come back to whatcar.com then to find out more.