Aston Martin fans have been waiting a long time to get their fix of the four-door Aston Martin Rapide. We haven't seen much of the Rapide since it was a concept car at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. Spies spotted prototypes in Sweden and, in these photos, in Germany.
These spy shots show something car enthusiasts hadn't expected for the Rapide--a full-length glass roof. Production will begin in 2009 in Austria at Magna Steyr--not at the Gaydon plant in England. The Rapide will debut with a V12 engine that will deliver over 500hp, to be closely followed by a less powerful V8 model.
What's Driving This Trend
- Four-door Luxury Cars
- Manufacturers can explore the possibility of adding full-length glass roofs to improve the aesthetic appeal of their sedans.
- Hybrid V8 Engine
- Automakers can focus on developing less powerful V8 engines that offer greater fuel efficiency without compromising on performance.
- Alternative Manufacturing Locations
- Companies can consider production facilities outside their home countries to reduce costs without compromising on quality.
Who This Affects Most
- Automotive
- The automobile industry can explore innovative ways to improve the design and performance of luxury sedans.
- Engineering
- Engineers can focus on developing more efficient engines that meet increasing environmental and regulatory standards.
- Manufacturing
- Manufacturers can experiment with new production locations and techniques to reduce costs while maintaining quality standards.
