With the coming of spring, plenty of car manufacturers are getting their new models out on the Nurburgring for testing. You can see the Aston Martin Rapide testing in these spy shots, as the model comes closer to its debut.

This example of the sedan-coupé Rapide seems production ready, and we can see nearly all of the car in these pics. It shows its elengat look, which will be combined with the power of 480 hp and a comfortable interior for four people.

After nearly three years of spy shots, the debut is now only a question of months. This niche, introduced by the Mercedes CLS, seems more fashionable than ever, and with the introduction of the Porsche Panamera, it’s taking a step towards high-end luxury models, which will soon have the inclusion of this Aston Martin Rapide.

Source | AutoWereld

Continue reading: New testing of the Aston Martin Rapide

After a bit of kerfuffle over the mysterious Lamborghini to be shown at the Paris motor show, confirmation, indirect but well-founded, has arrived from the company as to the model that will be presented.

While many theories abounded, we finally decided that the DNA of this car was going to be very different from a Gallardo or Murcielago. According to reports from Automative News, the Paris prototype will be a direct rival to the Aston Martin Rapide, though positioned at the top of the range in terms of both prestige and price. The name should be Urus (derived from Uro which was a kind of wild cow in Europe that was extinct in 1627).

The engine will have direct injection and will be smaller than the Gallardo LP 560/4 5.2 litre V10. Power should similar and a V8 solution hasn’t been excluded. The commercial target would be 3000 units, coincidentally the same as the Rapide.

Autoblog.it has also received reports from an employee at Lamborghini, that would confirm the above. It would seem that step by step, the new car is being revealed. Our source added that the engine would be from Audi origin, with twin turbo compressors and would be a front-centre engine. It will also be an all-wheel drive version. Paris seems too far away!

Continue reading: Lamborghini: inside source confirms new model

After the difficult 90’s e the exit from the Ford orbit, Aston Martin is living a splendid period these days thanks to successful models such as the DBS and the renewed V8 Vantage, as well as the DB9.

The future is called Rapide: the four-door sedan coupè, already in the dreams of many rich people who will probably have to wait with some patience.

Ulrich Bez, confirmed head for the next five years at Aston, has released some important news on the future of the brand: no anxiety to increase production, and no projects aimed at expanding into emerging markets. The objective is to offer an articulate and quality range, with adequate production volumes. Estimates for 2008 have been 7,500 total units, in line with the record 7,300 of 2007. The Rapide, arriving in 2009 and produced in Austria by Magna Steyr, will be kept to 2,000 units, distributed throughout the official network of 140 dealerships around the world.

Via | Autolinknews.com

Continue reading: Aston Martin: no rush to grow