These spy pics show the new Aston Martin Rapide, spotted undergoing final winter testing in Sweden ahead of its launch towards the end of this year.
The Aston Martin Rapide is the firm’s first saloon since the Lagonda of 1978. The Rapide takes the styling cues of the DB9 and adds two proper rear seats and a pair of rear doors.
From the A-pillar forward the Aston Martin Rapide’s styling is identical to the DB9’s, although it’s not yet clear if it shares the same sheet metal.
As on the coupe, the Aston Martin Rapide’s doors are frameless, and the rear door window also echoes the shape of the DB9. The rear styling also picks up on the DB9’s look with similar rear lights, bumpers and a boot lip spoiler.
The boot lid itself is different, because the Rapide will be Aston’s first hatchback of recent times – the boot lid and rear window lift as one piece. The glass roof is also an Aston first, and another feature taken straight from the Rapide concept.
The Aston Martin Rapide will be powered by the DB9’s V12. The car is likely to be heavier than the coupe, though, so power will be increased to around 470bhp to compensate.
The car will also have some serious competition in the shape of the Porsche Panamera, which will be available with a turbocharged V8 and four-wheel drive.
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