Aston to debut four-door concept at Detroit

Iconic British sportscar builder, Aston Martin, will take on the likes of Mercedes, Porsche and Bentley with the unveiling of a new concept car at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit next week.

The Ford-owned company will unveil the first four-door car built on its new VH (Verticle/Horizontal) alloy beam based platform architecture. The svelte, low and long V12-engined saloon will take on the likes of Mercedes-Benx CLS 55 AMG and the still-to-be-unveiled Porsche Panamericana as well as cars like Bentley's Flying Spur if it makes it to production.

Dubbed the Rapide, the vehicle is tipped to feature the running gear of the marque's recently upgraded Vanquish GT. Its wheelbase has been stretched approximately 250mm and overall length is claimed to be approx 300mm longer than the 2+2 (just!) two-door.

The name Rapide revives a 1960s Lagonda model. Aston still owns the moribund Lagonda nameplate.

Though labelled a concept, UK sources indicate the Detroit show car is a fully functioning prototype. The car could be on the streets as soons as 2008 though production would likely be limited to less than 1000 cars per year.