Ever sine it appeared over three years ago, there have been rumors of Aston Martin's Rapide receiving V8 and hybrid versions, but as the sedan nears production, Aston is getting wise. The Rapide has always looked like a four-door DB9->ke210/DBS->ke1479, and even Aston is pitching it for its DB9 customers who want a little more room; so now it's not even going to bother giving the Rapide any other engine than the one from its coupe look-alikes.

Marcel Beci, General Manager for Aston's European operationstold Autotelegraaf, "There are no plans for the Rapide with a V8 engine. We build the Rapide with an engine, the V12 from the DB9."

Beci would not confirm the power of the V12, but the 6.0-liter unit makes 470 hp in the DB9. We should expect at least that much power (the same engine makes 510 hp in the DBS) when the production car makes its first appearance in August at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

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