Posted on: Feb 25, 2013 | 26,020 reads

Bertone Reveals Aston Rapide Jet

Bertone Jet 2+2 modifies the Aston Martin Rapide into a shooting brake concept to be unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

There’s a grand tradition to British sportscars remade by Italian coachbuilders, and every once in a while the finest of both countries team up for a deliciously-styled shooting brake. One of the more recent examples was the Bentley Continental Flying Star from Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, but while Zagato may be the Italian coachbuilder you’d most associate with Aston Martin, Bertone has had a few, too. And now it has revealed one more.

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Back in 1961, Bertone (then under the direction of Giorgetto Giugiaro) rebodied an Aston DB4 GT and labeled it the Jet. Its steeply raked roofline distinguished it from the shooting-brake category, but in 2004 Bertone rebodied another Aston Martin - the previous Vanquish, in this case - and called it the Jet 2. And now it has returned once again with the Jet 2+2. Previewed just the other day in a teaser rendering, the Jet 2+2 is essentially an Aston Martin Rapide shooting brake. It will be officially unveiled in the flesh (or intricately-crafted sheet-metal) at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show - the same expo where Aston itself will be revealing the new Rapide S.

Rather than starting with that new 550-horsepower model, the Bertone Jet 2+2 is based on the existing 470hp Rapide. The biggest difference, of course, is the extended roofline, with an angled tailgate and unique LED lighting strip. The rest of the design applies what looks like a reinterpreted take on the Rapide’s styling. The modified shape provides more headroom to the tight rear seats and adds some extra luggage space. The overall result is an intriguing take on a beautiful car that demonstrates Bertone's capabilities should any potential customers – corporate or private – who may be interested.