Aston Martin authorizes Bertone Jet 2+2 shooting break

By Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos

It's no great secret that I love off-the-wall wagons as much as the next guy, and let me tell you, when some rich dude wants a custom-built performance luxury five-door, all I can do is cheer. So one loaded Aston Martin customer went to Italian design house Bertone and asked for a station-wagon version of the Rapide sedan. Since this is both Aston's 100th birthday and 60 years of working with Bertone, obviously the people in England quickly said, "Sure, why not?"

The result is the Bertone Jet 2+2, based on the current Rapide mechanicals with everything aft of the B-pillars being all-new and melded perfectly with Aston's design. It uses a 470-horsepower 6.0-litre V12 from the 'old' Rapide rather than the upgraded 550-horsepower version from the new Rapide S. Still, who'll complain?

New seats, woods and aluminum have been used inside to give it a more custom feel, while the rear two seats do fold flat to increase cargo room. 

This isn't the first Bertone/Aston Martin 'shooting break'. The Bertone Jet 2 is essentially a wagonized version of the old Vanquish, a dozen DB5's were similarly modified by company owner David Brown, some DB6's, and of course, the Sultan of Brunei's fleet of modified Virages.

It's pretty much a tie in my books between this and the Maserati Quattroporte Bellagio Touring from a few years back. What's your vote? What other high-end sedan or coupe would you like to see turned into a station wagon or shooting break? Let us know!