Aston Martin’s unique estate car priced near £1 million

An exclusive Aston Martin, known as the "world’s poshest estate car," will be auctioned later this month. The auction is set for March 29 at Five Zeroes Supercar Barn in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. The car, called the Aston Martin Rapide Jet 2+2, was designed by Bertone for entrepreneur Barry Weir in 2012. It features a luxurious cream and black interior and a sleek exterior painted in "Meteorite Silver." Bids for the vehicle are expected to reach up to £1 million. Barry Weir came up with the car's idea after a chance meeting with Bertone designers at an airport. The design focuses on combining luxury with practicality, including a spacious boot ideal for shopping. Aston Martin approved the design, and the car was completed in time for the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The Rapide Jet 2+2 retains much of the original Aston Martin Rapide, including its powerful 5.9L V12 engine, which produces 470 horsepower and can reach a top speed of 200 mph. The car is also designed to be practical for everyday use. Nick Wells from Dore & Rees, who will handle the auction, noted that the car is not only unique but also suitable for daily driving. He expects it to sell for between £500,000 and £1 million. In other news, Aston Martin is undergoing significant changes, cutting 170 jobs as it faces financial difficulties. The company is dealing with a £1.16 billion debt and plans to save £25 million annually. This has led to a delay in launching its first fully electric vehicle, now scheduled for the end of the decade.