Aston Martin Rapide Shooting Brake by Bertone revealed

Bertone are heading for the 2013 Geneva Motor Show with a one-off Aston Martin Rapide Shooting Brake – the Jet 2+2.

Aston Martin and Bertone have a long history of collaboration - 60 years – and Aston Martin is celebrating its centenary this year. Which calls for something special.

That ‘Something Special’ is the latest in a long line of Aston Martin estates from car design houses round the world - Aston Martin Rapide Shooting Brake by Bertone - which Bertone have called the Jet 2+2. More because the last time Bertone did an Aston Martin they made a Vanquish in to a Shooting Brake and called it the Jet 2 than a reference to the snug back seats of the Rapide.

Bertone have been fairly restrained with the Jet 2+2 – although it is a commissioned concept, so the client would have had a say – and much of the Rapide stays intact in the Shooting Brake. The dimensions are the same as is the power – which is from the current Rapide, not the new Aston Martin Rapide S which will also debut at Geneva – but the back end turns in to a sleek estate.

Aston Martin Rapide Shooting Brake Pictures >>

Bertone say the C-Pillars are bent forward and connected to the wheel arches so it looks like the Shooting Brake is on the move even when it isn’t, and there’s a steep rear tailgate with wide LEDs running through. The extra height of the Shooting Brake has given the Rapide’s rear passengers a smidge more headroom, Bertone has titivated the already appealing interior and the back seats actually fold down so you can turn your Rapide Shooting Brake in to a proper estate to to the tip run.

For us, what’s most surprising is not that Bertone has created the Aston Martin Rapide Shooting Brake, but that Aston Martin didn’t do it first. Surely, it would be a way to get a bit more interest in showrooms for the four-door Aston?

The Bertone Jet 2+2 Aston Martin Rapide Shooting Brake will be on show at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

By Cars UK