It was long been news that Porsche has designed its first ever four-door sports car: Panamera. The car has been profiled in magazines and elsewhere several times before, but the sports legend has yet to properly introduce the Panamera. It will due so in a few days.

But Aston Martin, another legend, has decided to steal some of Porsche’s thunder by unveiling its first ever four-door sports car as well on Wednesday.

The press was all excited about Porsche’s unveiling, but Porsche will now have to share the press cycle with Aston Martin. Shrewd move by Aston, very shrew.

Every news report that mentions the Panamera will now have to at least add, “o, by the way, Porsche is not the only sports car to design a four-door sports car, Aston Martin unveiled there version a few days ago.”

And here’s Aston Martin’s new beauty: Rapide.

The Rapide concept, designed by Marek Reichman, Aston’s design director, was shown at the Detroit auto show in 2006. It is built on a version of the DB9 platform and is about a foot longer. Mr. Reichman compared it to a “lithe ‘long-distance runner,’ beside the sprinter-like V8 Vantage or muscular DBS.” Under the Rapide’s hood is a 6-liter V-12 engine that makes 470 horsepower.

The Rapide is to be produced in Graz, Austria, by Magna Steyr, a manufacturer known for building limited-edition vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen (G Wagon). In its news release, Aston Martin promised that the Rapide would have generous luggage space and room for four, thanks to rear doors that swing up slightly as they open out.

Aston Martin’s chief executive, Ulrich Bez, seemed to be throwing down a gauntlet not just to Porsche but also to Maserati, which produces the Quattroporte luxury sedan, when he boasted that “the Rapide will be themost elegant four-door sports car in the world.”

Is it true? You judge:

The Panamera:

The Audi A7:

The 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLS:

The Lamborghini Estoque concept:

In my opinion, the Aston is better than the Porsche. The Audi as well. But the Lamborghini best them all.

Sources: Aston Martin Tries to Steal Porsche’s Thunder.

Design: Four-Door Coupes