2010 Aston Martin Rapide: Does It Matter?

It looks fantastic, but so does a less-expensive DB9

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I love Aston Martins.  They are the supermodels of the automotive world, in my eyes.  They are pornography, sculpted from metal and infused with raw power and luxury.  But enough of me praising the company’s designs.  I’m actually here to do a bit of constructive bashing. Come, won’t you?

Nowadays, companies are making cars that maybe they ought not to.  Honda’s Crosstourer comes to mind immediately.  And it’s not that the Aston Martin Rapide looks like it was clubbed within an inch of its life by a troll with an ugly tree, but I’m failing to see the appeal of an Aston with four doors.  Call me blind if you wish, but you know I’ve got a point–a point which I am prepared to argue.

You’re probably thinking, ” So you think Porsche wasted its time making the car that the Rapide directly competes with, the Panamera?” No. I think, though ungainly and surely not the winner of any beauty pageants,  the Panamera just seems like the natural thing for Porsche to do.  Is this not the same company that delivered unto us the toad-looking Cayenne, which performed like a sports car? ( How many stock SUVs do you know that can power oversteer their way around the Nurburgring?).

Porsche made the Cayenne because they could. Porsche puts the engine in the ass of the car because they can. Porsche made a sedan because they could.  So why as Aston Martin stepped up to compete? They don’t do strange things. They stick to beauty and convention, and they do those things well! Why come out of the box? Just to compete? Is the demand for such cars that great?

And then there’s the price.  The Rapide will have a base price of just under $200,000, but you could get a Panamera Turbo for around $146,00.  Sure, the Rapide is prettier, but the Panamera is the better performer.  And what’s wrong with the DB9?  Looks just as gorgeous as the Rapide, but it’s a proper coupe.  I’m not sure that I care about carpooling in my Bond car.  I’ve always felt like they were cars intended only for two.  It’s not that you’re trying to be a snob about your Aston Martin, but it is one of those cars that speaks of exclusivity.  If you want to ride out with more than one other person, get a Jaguar XF-R or something originally intended for 4 occupants.

I don’t hate the Aston Martin Rapide, but I can’t see the point.  Why pay $200k for a stretch DB9?  How much better can it be than the DB9?  It’s got two more doors, but who gives a damn?  And this is all coming from a guy who adores pointless cars.  The Dodge Ram SRT-10 is one of my favorites because it’s utterly ridiculous.  No one needs a pick up truck that performs like a high-riding Viper, but it’s still cool because of it is pointlessly awesome. The Cayenne S Turbo is in that same category, as is the Panamera Turbo. The Rapide, on the other hand, is pointlessly practical with it’s new found sedan-ness and, sadly, there’s just nothing to love about that.

-Triple_ Deuce

**Updated!!**2011 Audi A8 Drops Its Towel. Makes Me Want to be Transporter

**Update!!!** – New pics have been released as well as bit more info.  As I guessed, the new A8 using Audi’s aluminum space frame and there will also be a turbo direct injection (TDI) version coming.!!

I was never aware of the Audi A8 until I saw Transporter 2.   I loved it because it was just a big slab of luxury sedan.  Well, Frank Martin, I wouldn’t worry about the cost of repairing your A8 after Transporter 3.  Just save your dollars.

I haven’t heard too many details about this car yet other than the drivetrain, but I will assume that it’s riding on an the same  frame as the outgoing 2004 – 2010 A8.  It’ll have adaptive magnetic suspension and…ya know what? Screw that boring stuff. Let’s get to it.

Audi is keeping the 4.2 liter V8 as the base engine, but they’ve done some fiddling with it and have pumped up the ponies to 372 instead of the previous 350.  Hook that up to an all new 8 speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode  and you should get a 0 – 60 sprint of about 5.7 seconds, says Audi.

As for the exterior, I do miss the understated nature of the 2010 model, but I do prefer the looks of this to one of it’s competitors, the all new BMW 7 series.   there’s more creases here and there, more interesting lines in this place…although i’m not entirely sure i like the  shape of the LEDs in the headlights though.  But, from a front on view, I love the way the car looks at you.  It’s the same look as the retiring model, just new clothes on.

Direct competitors would be the aforementioned BMW 7 seres as well as the Mercedes S550.  That said, it’s not looking like the new A8 is going to much of a match for either of them — at least where performance is concerned.  372bhp is a good number, as is the 328 ft-lbs -o-torque, but the Merc and Beamer both put out more horses and torques.

But do I really care that much?  Nope, not really.  I’ve never been a huge fan of the looks of the S550 and i’m not crazy about BMW’s new design language.  I’d take the new A8, but I want more power. Don’t get me wrong, 5.7 seconds ain’t bad, but you guys know you can do better.  Bring back the w12 and we’ll talk….or at least offer a new S8?

**Check the overview video below!!**

Makes me wanna drop out of college and be a transporter.

The regular wheelbase is actually longer than that of the Merc S550 and BMW 7 series. The new A8 also offers up 21 inch rims.

Check out his arse!

Dude!!! Tell me that's not boss!!

The shifter looks more like the throttle in an aircraft!!!