Motor Show: Aston Martin Rapide

Designed by a team led by Marek Reichman, the new head of design at Aston Martin, it's a four-door concept car with four proper seats built on an extended version of the DB9's underpinnings. It even has a hatchback-style rear tailgate, similar to that of the Vantage, which opens wide to reveal extensive luggage space and flat-folding rear seats. For a touch of showmanship, it has an electrochromatic roof that can turn from translucent to opaque at the flick of a switch; its front doors open outwards and upwards, butterfly-style, in a similar way to the DB9's. There's fair rear headroom despite the low roofline, but legroom is a bit tight for an adult ensconced in the rear seat for a trans-European blast.

The Rapide is fitted with a version of the DB9's 6.0-litre V12, tuned for 480bhp (an extra 30bhp). Though it's heavier than the standard DB9, 12 inches longer and 1.5inches taller, the extra power helps keep performance sharp: it's said to be good for 0-60mph in less than five seconds, as well as a top speed well over 180mph. Brakes have been upgraded to a carbon-ceramic system.

It's just a show car at the moment, hinting at Aston's plans to produce a rival for the exotic Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz CLS or upcoming Porsche Panamera. However, it is fully fitted out and finished to a fine detail, suggesting that development is well underway for a production version. This could appear by 2008 - ahead of the Panamera, say insiders.

In the meantime, it also displays a few touches expected to make it into the DB9 shortly: new LED lights, new switchgear, reshaped seats and new upholstery all feature.

And the reasoning behind the Rapide name? It revives a badge used for a Lagonda four-door in the early 60s. Aston does not, however, have any plans to revive the long-defunct Lagonda brand.

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