Spied Naked. Aston's design language is looking a bit tired, but I still like it. It looks great.
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-new-cars/Search-Results/Your-spyshots/Aston-Martin-Rapide-reader-spy-shots/
Copyrighted pics.
It looks like every other Aston on sale right now.
Quote from: thecarnut on June 20, 2009, 10:02:22 PM
It looks like every other Aston on sale right now.
Yea pretty much. They need to Jag it up
Quote from: thecarnut on June 20, 2009, 10:02:22 PM
It looks like every other Aston on sale right now.
Techncially it's a 4 door DB9, so yeah, looking the same was the entire point.
And it matters so much because Aston makes so many cars?
Need some different wheels, but otherwise, :wub:
It's a good thing I can't afford to choose between this and the Maserati Quattroporte.
Quote from: ChrisV on June 21, 2009, 09:13:22 AM
Techncially it's a 4 door DB9, so yeah, looking the same was the entire point.
And it matters so much because Aston makes so many cars?
The DB9 has been out for ~5 years and was based on a design language established in the mid-90s itself.
I think it looks fabulous, but Aston needs to make a change with their styling or I am afraid they will find themselves in the same boat Jaguar was in until recently.
Quote from: TBR on June 21, 2009, 05:57:47 PM
The DB9 has been out for ~5 years and was based on a design language established in the mid-90s itself.
I think it looks fabulous, but Aston needs to make a change with their styling or I am afraid they will find themselves in the same boat Jaguar was in until recently.
As long as the AM's keep selling like hot cakes, why should the designers care? :huh:
Quote from: Minpin on June 21, 2009, 09:25:27 PM
As long as the AM's keep selling like hot cakes, why should the designers care? :huh:
Production lead times. Eventually the designs will fall out favor and the designers can't tell when.
I personally think designs change too rapidly now. Astons always had long model cycles, and the current designs are still beautiful and thoroughly modern. They shouldn't go so long as to get stale, but I don't think the current crop of Astons has come close to this. I do, however, think the DBS, which of course is gorgeous, is too much of a warmed over DB9, and not a worthy Vanquish successor, in terms of looks. I loved that car.
Quote from: TBR on June 21, 2009, 05:57:47 PM
The DB9 has been out for ~5 years and was based on a design language established in the mid-90s itself.
I think it looks fabulous, but Aston needs to make a change with their styling or I am afraid they will find themselves in the same boat Jaguar was in until recently.
I disagree, their cars are beautiful and so few sell that it's hard for them to look dated or be considered an old design. This design language can stick around for awhile longer.
The Rapide looks incredible, but why a 4 seater? :banghead: Why have a pretty wood console when you can have a seat? 4 seater sedans are ridiculous.
Quote from: Colonel Cadillac on June 22, 2009, 09:28:16 AM
I disagree, their cars are beautiful and so few sell that it's hard for them to look dated or be considered an old design. This design language can stick around for awhile longer.
The Rapide looks incredible, but why a 4 seater? :banghead: Why have a pretty wood console when you can have a seat? 4 seater sedans are ridiculous.
Like I said, I think the design style has a bit of life in it, but if they don't start thinking about changing it they are in danger of getting caught with their pants down.
Quote from: TBR on June 22, 2009, 12:14:36 PM
Like I said, I think the design style has a bit of life in it, but if they don't start thinking about changing it they are in danger of getting caught with their pants down.
Like Porsche.
er...
Quote from: ChrisV on June 22, 2009, 12:25:33 PM
Like Porsche.
er...
No, like Aston Martin in the late '80s or Jaguar in the early '00s.
For whatever reason Porsche is a special case.
I like it, but the back doors look a lot smaller then in previous pics.
Quote from: Hachee on June 22, 2009, 07:09:23 AM
I personally think designs change too rapidly now.
I don't think they change fast enough. I like the days when there were differences every year.
It's not like AM has needed any life changing redesigns in their lifetimes either. The DB5 and the DB9 still share a lot of similiar qualities, just like a 997 and the 911E
Quote from: Minpin on June 22, 2009, 12:41:18 PM
It's not like AM has needed any life changing redesigns in their lifetimes either. The DB5 and the DB9 still share a lot of similiar qualities, just like a 997 and the 911E
That's true. Porsche's style seems to be constantly evolving while AM's gets stuck in ruts every so often.
AM's style is only old in pictures. In the flesh the cars are phenomenally gorgeous
Gorgeous car, like alle current AMs.
However, the design really has been around for a while.
Quote from: Colonel Cadillac on June 22, 2009, 09:28:16 AM
The Rapide looks incredible, but why a 4 seater? :banghead: Why have a pretty wood console when you can have a seat? 4 seater sedans are ridiculous.
You don't understand the idea of an Aston. Brilliance and class don't waste their time with a bench seat. Grandma Phyllis and Uncle Johnny aren't going to use it to haul the 4 kids to 7-11.
Quote from: TBR on June 22, 2009, 12:47:06 PM
That's true. Porsche's style seems to be constantly evolving while AM's gets stuck in ruts every so often.
The 911 is really a singular case - it's an iconic design that for whatever reason has continued to work, without looking dated. There's probably never been another similar case. Astons get stuck because (more so in the past), a design would go 10, 12 or more years, and by the end of the run, they're dated. I personally loved the DB6 (V8), even at the end, but it was definitely a "classic" design by then.
Quote from: Tave on June 23, 2009, 01:20:17 PM
You don't understand the idea of an Aston. Brilliance and class don't waste their time with a bench seat. Grandma Phyllis and Uncle Johnny aren't going to use it to haul the 4 kids to 7-11.
Right, so why bother with a sedan at all?
Quote from: CALL_911 on June 23, 2009, 05:04:58 PM
Right, so why bother with a sedan at all?
(http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7676/tonsofmoney2167.jpg) (http://img26.imageshack.us/i/tonsofmoney2167.jpg/)
Quote from: CALL_911 on June 23, 2009, 05:04:58 PM
Right, so why bother with a sedan at all?
Because you can't take Sir Alfred and the lady Bethany to the Royal Philharmonic in a 2+2, you bloody idiot.
Quote from: Minpin on June 23, 2009, 05:10:49 PM
(http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/7676/tonsofmoney2167.jpg) (http://img26.imageshack.us/i/tonsofmoney2167.jpg/)
Oh my god... that's like a couple of MR2's and a few E30's right there. :drool:
Quote from: Tave on June 23, 2009, 05:14:58 PM
Because you can't take Sir Alfred and the lady Bethany to the Royal Philharmonic in a 2+2, you bloody idiot.
Sir Alfred and lady Bethany never wanted an Aston.
(http://www.tuningnews.net/news/071205b/rolls-royce_phantom_tungsten.jpg)
Well, Porsche used to be the most profitable car manufacturer before making the terrible decision to buy up VW, so you can't really criticize the way they go about design.
However, I will agree Aston Martins are good looking cars. But honestly, they've never really done much for me. Everyone here basically creams their pants when someone posts an image of one. Good looking cars, but nothing that's really sparked my interest all that much.
Quote from: CALL_911 on June 23, 2009, 07:16:47 PM
Sir Alfred and lady Bethany never wanted an Aston.
It's not their car. It's yours. You're Sir Henry, and you want something in the stable to take your mates out for a night on the town.
And anyone with a Phantom or Aston in the driveway could have both if they wanted them (and probably do). :nutty:
Quote from: MrH on June 23, 2009, 08:02:49 PM
Well, Porsche used to be the most profitable car manufacturer before making the terrible decision to buy up VW, so you can't really criticize the way they go about design.
However, I will agree Aston Martins are good looking cars. But honestly, they've never really done much for me. Everyone here basically creams their pants when someone posts an image of one. Good looking cars, but nothing that's really sparked my interest all that much.
Most profitable per unit. And I think their investment operations are part of the problem (for a couple of years they were actually legally considered an investment bank).
Quote from: CALL_911 on June 23, 2009, 07:16:47 PM
Sir Alfred and lady Bethany never wanted an Aston.
(http://www.tuningnews.net/news/071205b/rolls-royce_phantom_tungsten.jpg)
Good God, man. A Phantom is for footballers with leather balls for heads and coiffured stick-insects draped on either side, not the old-money elite! A trip to finishing school is in order.
Quote from: MrH on June 23, 2009, 08:02:49 PM
Well, Porsche used to be the most profitable car manufacturer before making the terrible decision to buy up VW, so you can't really criticize the way they go about design.
However, I will agree Aston Martins are good looking cars. But honestly, they've never really done much for me. Everyone here basically creams their pants when someone posts an image of one. Good looking cars, but nothing that's really sparked my interest all that much.
Jermyn Street brogues, Savile Row suits, Twinings Earl Grey at elevenses, bubble and squeak.....if you have to ask, you'll never understand.
Quote from: MrH on June 23, 2009, 08:02:49 PM
However, I will agree Aston Martins are good looking cars. But honestly, they've never really done much for me. Everyone here basically creams their pants when someone posts an image of one. Good looking cars, but nothing that's really sparked my interest all that much.
They look much better in person. But I agree that excitement over "new" Astons is a bit unwarranted IMO.
Quote from: MrH on June 23, 2009, 08:02:49 PM
However, I will agree Aston Martins are good looking cars. But honestly, they've never really done much for me. Everyone here basically creams their pants when someone posts an image of one. Good looking cars, but nothing that's really sparked my interest all that much.
They all look the same. I can barely tell them apart.
Honestly this Rapide doesn't look as nice as I thought it would.
The C-Pillar is too big.
Quote from: TBR on June 23, 2009, 08:41:34 PM
Most profitable per unit. And I think their investment operations are part of the problem (for a couple of years they were actually legally considered an investment bank).
Yeah, that purchasing of VW was definitely a :facepalm: kind of moment.
Quote from: thecarnut on June 23, 2009, 05:54:04 PM
Oh my god... that's like a couple of MR2's and a few E30's right there. :drool:
More than that, that has to be six figures in that pile. :lol:
Quote from: MrH on June 24, 2009, 05:58:18 PM
Yeah, that purchasing of VW was definitely a :facepalm: kind of moment.
I'm not so sure, VW is a very stable company (and weathering the current situation pretty well) and it can ensure Porsche's long-term existence.
Quote from: Colonel Cadillac on June 24, 2009, 06:52:19 PM
I'm not so sure, VW is a very stable company (and weathering the current situation pretty well) and it can ensure Porsche's long-term existence.
No, it doesn't make sense. Why the hell would you buy into a company that's one of the biggest and most successful in the world,
and has shared a long history with yours? It's stupid. They should buy an unsuccessful company.
Quote from: MrH on June 24, 2009, 05:58:18 PM
Yeah, that purchasing of VW was definitely a :facepalm: kind of moment.
What are you two talking about? The VW aquisition has been a resounding success for Porsche. Do you realize how much money they've made off of it?
Quote from: Tave on June 24, 2009, 07:34:42 PM
What are you two talking about? The VW aquisition has been a resounding success for Porsche. Do you realize how much money they've made off of it?
They're still tying down all the debt they took on for the purchase. I don't think they're really making money yet.
Quote from: Colonel Cadillac on June 24, 2009, 08:33:07 PM
They're still tying down all the debt they took on for the purchase. I don't think they're really making money yet.
From July's issue of CAR (talking about Wiedeking and the takeover), "The benefits have been staggering and instant: Porsche made a 7.7 billion pound profit last year, of which just 12% came from making Porsches."
Quote from: ChrisV on June 22, 2009, 12:25:33 PM
Like Porsche.
er...
speaking of which, at least this looks a gajillion times better than the fugly ass Panamera
I hate it when it happen (more then often unfortunately) that no pics but a link are posted in a thread about new pics of a new car ... yet there is no problem to post pics of other cars that comes into discussion. :wtf:
Quote from: 280Z Turbo on June 24, 2009, 01:27:55 PM
They all look the same. I can barely tell them apart.
That's the idea. They are all supposed to look like the same family that you can barely tell apart.
And to be honest, Aston only makes two lines.. the DB9 line and the Vantage line (I don't really count the One-77). The DBS is intentionally a DB9 Plus (basically a race inspired version of the DB9, kind of like the Shelby GT500 version of the Mustang) and the Rapide is just a 4 door DB9. No one would have this confusion had they simply retained the DB9 name...
No one gets all pissy that they can barely tell the 2 door and 4 door BMW 3 series apart...
(http://ozcarsightings.com/updates/aston%20martin%20shoot/Aston%20Martin%20(6).jpg)
Quote from: ChrisV on June 29, 2009, 07:21:21 AM
No one gets all pissy that they can barely tell the 2 door and 4 door BMW 3 series apart...
The extra two doors are usually a dead giveaway though.
BMW wouldn't introduce a 2-door and then wait 6 years to release the 4 door version.
Quote from: AltinD on June 29, 2009, 04:30:57 AM
I hate it when it happen (more then often unfortunately) that no pics but a link are posted in a thread about new pics of a new car ... yet there is no problem to post pics of other cars that comes into discussion. :wtf:
The pics of the Rapide are copyrighted. I CAN'T post them here.