[BLeyland]

Aston Martin is now shipping the first customer versions of Rapide sports sedans to showrooms worldwide. These cars aren't coming out of Aston's facility in England. Instead coachbuilder Magna Steyr assembles the four-door sports sedan at a dedicated facility in Graz, Austria.

While Aston is very much a British company, this is not the first time it has reached across Europe for assistance. All of Aston Martin’s engines currently come from its facility in Cologne, Germany.

STORY: http://www.motobullet.com/news.php?id=10232

 

[lhanddds]

This car might be great for my next Aston in a number of years. I love my current Vantage roadster but could use more room. I love Porsches but the Panamera just doesn't do it for me.

 

[Andrew]

Agreed, the Panamera isn't that exciting.

 

[AstonLover2]

I don't think you can put the Porsche in the same catagory as the Rapide

 

[lhanddds]

There are few cars in the luxury, high end, high performance sports car, 4 door category. What would you compare the Rapide to

 

[Otiswesty]

When I logged in it asked me what country the Aston Martin is made in. I put Austria and was rejected. Got in eventually with some educated guesses.

I toured the Mercedes Gwagen assembly line in Graz last year and was surprised to see that they were building the Rapide in the adjoining building. They do have 30 years experience hand building the G-class, so a good choice by the powers that be to choose them for quality assembly work.

First post here.

 

[Andrew]

Otis,

Welcome to AML. You got me on that one! I guess I could add Austria as an option but I think that would be a hit below the belt for our cousins on the other side of the pond.

It's a dumb question, but I'm assuming they didn't allow you to snap photos of the car being built?

 

[Otiswesty]

I toured the Magna Steryr factory with my 11 year old, he wanted the black "Pur" edition Gwagen
No pics of the Rapide assembly, I just happened to see the AM moniker on the building next store and was pleasantly surprised.