Aston Martin Rapide

Aston Martin Rapide CAR Middle East first drive

CAR's rating
Handling:
Performance:
Usablity:
Feel Good:

Statistics

How much?	$ 233175
Engine:	6000cc, 12cyl, 470BHP @ 6000, 443lb ft @ 5000
Transmission:	Automatic
Performance:	5.2 sec 0-100kph , 296kph
How heavy?	1950kg

Tom Bird
08 February 2010

Can a sports car really have four doors? Aston Martin likes to think so and is pitching its new Rapide as just that. This is not a saloon, limousine or extended hatchback thing along the lines of a Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes S-Class or Porsche Panamera - respectively. Nope, think of the Rapide as a DB9 with seats that are actually usable by real human beings.

Aston is keen to stress that the Rapide is more than just a DB9 that’s undergone a bit of time on a medieval stretching rack. It might use a variation of the same platform, but then so do all modern Astons. It’s taken a lot of work to transform a two-door coupe into a good-looking four-door saloon. And as we know from the Panamera, it’s not something that everyone gets right.

But the Rapide does carry off its extra bulk extremely well. It looks best in the dark grey metallic hue that’s rather confusingly named Quantum Silver. This allows the chrome edging around the windows to really stand out. The windows are an achievement in themselves as there’s no external B-pillar between the front and rear pieces of glass. Aston has worked hard to improve the sealing around the glass which is a common problem on its other models – now, when you move off the windows are forced a few millimetres higher into the seal to get rid of wind noise. The double-glazed glass also helps.

It’s not whisper quiet inside like a Rolls though, which is good because you can still savour the sound of the 6.0-litre V12 engine that’s been carried over from the DB9. With 470bhp and 443lb ft on tap, there’s plenty of power available to get the Rapide moving at serious pace – 0-100kph takes just 5.2secs and top speed is 296kph.

The gearbox is the familiar six-speed automatic ‘box from the DB9 and the power is sent to the rear wheels. The result is a very similar Aston style of drive – very direct and eager and happy to push its back out on a liberal application of throttle. In fact, the longer wheelbase – up 24.4cm over the DB9 – helps to dampen some of the darty qualities of two-door car and you can feel the back end coming into play in a much more linear fashion.

Click next below to read more

Rate this article...

Average rating:

(votes 374)

User Comments

Comments

First Name *
Last Name *
Email *
City *
Country *
Subject *
Comments *
Type the verification code shown *

Refresh verification code if not clear.
	Signup for CAR ME newsletter
	Remember me