Aston unveils shooting brake 25 | 02 | 2013

AN EXCLUSIVE ASTON MARTIN Rapide Shooting Brake concept has been built by Italian design and coachbuilding firm Bertone (see more official photos of the new Aston Martin Rapide Shooting Brake).

The car, named Bertone Jet 2+2 and which will take pride of place on the Aston stand at next week's Geneva Motor Show, celebrates both Aston’s centenary and 60 years of collaborations between Aston Martin and Bertone.

Commissioned strictly as a one-off by an Aston Martin collector, the car has the Gaydon firm’s approval. It also follows the Jet 2 concept car from 2004, which was a shooting brake version of the Vanquish.

The cabin of the 2+2 is fitted with four individual seats, with increased headroom over the Rapide saloon in the rear boosting comfort for passengers.

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The two rear seats fold flat and can be covered by a sliding cover to create a sizeable luggage space, access to which is aided by a wide loading area when the tailgate is lifted.

Bertone has fitted special wood, aluminium and two-tone leather trims throughout the exclusive car to enhance its feel.

The shooting brake is powered by a 470bhp version of Aston’s 5.9-litre V12 taken from the current Rapide.

In creating the car's sleek lines, Bertone bent the C-pillars forward and connected them to the tall, muscular wheel arches to create a perception of movement even when the car is stationary.

At the back of the shooting brake, there's a sharply-raked tailgate and pronounced rear end with a full-length LED light strip running through it.

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Jim McGill