Rapide – Automobiles Review

2014 Aston Martin Rapide S To Debut In New York

2014 Aston Martin Rapide S which was officially unveiled in January is now set to make its North American debut at the 2013 New York International Auto Show. There it will be showcased alongside the new Vanquish and DB9.

Rapide S is equipped with the powerful V12-engined that is capable of producing 550 hp (404 kW). The luxury four-door Aston Martin has been redesigned and re-engineered in order to reestablish its position as world’s most beautiful four-seat sports car.

The model includes extensive design and engineering enhancements which makes it even more desirable and refined. For example its more assertive front fascia speaks for more aggressiveness as well, and all this is thanks to the new full grille.

The new front end design is matched at the back by a new rear deck profile which comprises of a more pronounced boot lid ‘flip’. The improved aerodynamic and aesthetic improvements also strengthen the sporting nature of the Rapide S.

In terms of power the peak torque reaches 457lb.ft (620Nm) at 5,500rpm. Meanwhile an even more marked improvement in torque occurs lower down the rev range, as pulling power rises by more than 30lb.ft (40Nm) between idle and 4,000rpm with an additional 37lb.ft (50Nm) available at 2,500rpm.

These numbers speak that for the sport car is effortless to accelerate from to 0 to 100 km/h in only 4.7 seconds for the new model. The top speed is electronically limited to 190 mph.

2014 Aston Martin Rapide S is on sale now priced at $199 950 USD. The first customer deliveries will start in June.

Source: Aston Martin

March 26, 2013

Bertone Aston Martin Rapide Shooting Brake

Bertone has revealed the Aston Martin Rapide Shooting Brake, which is scheduled to debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March.

The Concept is completely different compared to normal Rapide. The C-pillars bent forwards and connect to the muscular and tall wheel arches. This gives the perception of movement even when the car is still. There is also a full length LED strip at the back and the sharply tilted tailgate.

The interior is in 2+2 seating arrangement with individual seats for every passenger. The new body style gives plenty of room for the rear passenger. The rear seats can be folded flat to increase the luggage space. There are aluminum, wood and two-tone leather trims.

No words about performance, but probably the Rapide Shooting Brake will have the same engine as Rapide S – a 6.0 liter V12 with 558HP (410 kW) at 6,750RPM and 620Nm (458 lb-ft) of torque at 5,000RPM. 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited.

Source: Bertone

February 25, 2013

World Debut: Aston Martin Rapide S

Absolutely exclusive and with stunning visual characteristics the new Aston Martin Rapide S is making its debut and it is showing off more luxury and power-related enhancements. The new GT has been redesigned and re-engineered which makes it one of the most beautiful cars on the market nowadays.

Rapide S will replace the outgoing Rapide, has an assertive new “face” with the instantly eye catching new full grille. In addition to this, to make it even more aggressive the designers matched the revised front end’s design with a new rear deck profile, which includes a more pronounced boot lid “flip”.

More importantly there are some comprehensive changes in the new Aston Martin model regarding its engine. It is powered by an AM11 naturally-aspirated 6.0-litre V12 powerplant delivering unprecedented force and enhanced in-gear acceleration.

Thanks to it the Rapide can now produce the stunning 558 hp (410 kW) at 6,750 rpm. The peak torque is 620 Nm (458 lb-ft) at 5,000 rpm. This amazing results lead to only one thing: great acceleration time.

The car needs only 4.9 seconds for the acceleration sprint from 0 to 100 km/h on its way to the top speed of 190 mph. Despite the powerful performance, the vehicle shows great efficiency. CO2 emissions are 332 g/km – while fuel economy now stands at 19.9 mpg on the official EU combined cycle.

Aston Martin engineers also paid attention to the car’s dynamic stability control (DSC) in line with its significant increases in both power and torque. The car also benefits from the latest Gen4 iteration of Aston Martin’s hi-tech Adaptive Damping System (ADS). The system now offers three distinct settings: ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’.

The ADS automatically manages the suspension thus ensuring drivers greater sense of control at all times. The damper settings here are determined by an electronic control unit which takes sensor readings from the car’s systems, including throttle position, brake position, steering wheel rotation and vehicle speed. This data establishes the prevailing driving conditions and the demands the driver is making on the car.

Furthermore, Rapide S has unique approach to pedestrian impact protection through its lowered engine, new bonnet, new front bumper construction and new grille. The grille moves rearwards on impact, whilst the central and outboard chin stiffeners give rigidity to the lower structure and support achievement of the leg impact regulations.

In terms of interior Aston Martin stands only for luxury. In addition, there is a new optional Carbon Exterior Pack which adds more sporting attitude. Front splitter, rear diffuser, mirror caps and rear lamp infills are all made from carbon fibre.

The piano black interior pack adds mirror-like shine to the facia, transmission tunnel centre plate and door handles. A darker surround in the instrument binnacle and steering wheel with black horn-push surround round off the pack’s sumptuous additions. Luxurious blend headlinings in either tan or grey are also present and reinforce the luxury treatment of the coupe.

Even more, the Rapide S now comes with improved NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) characteristics thanks to the new bonnet lining and revised windscreen cowl. Optionally there is a choice of a reversing camera and twin screen rear seat entertainment system with wireless headphones, remote control and six-disc DVD changer.

Aston Martin Rapide S will be available to order worldwide next month with prices announced closer to the on-sale date.

Source: Aston Martin

January 23, 2013

Aston Martin Rapide 4 Door by Kahn Design

News from Kahn Design. This time, the car that has gone under the knife is a 4-door Aston Martin Rapide. Even though owning a stock one yourself is a statement enough that you are an open-minded, fun and classy executive, things can go even further. That’s true if you ask someone at Kahn.

We say knife but actually the “styling package” consists mostly of matte black painted elements – the front bumper grille mesh, the hood and fender vents, the brake calipers. The exhaust system is new, we’ll give them that. Also, thanks to a set of lowering springs, the ground clearance is less of a thing now. Good for handling then. Probably the most noticeable work done here involves the wheels – Kahn 21” RSX-F pieces in platinum silver finish.

Is the power of the Kahn Aston Martin Rapide up by some points? We don’t know but still, a coat of matte paint won’t bodge down the stock 470 bhp that come out of the saloon’s 6.0-liter V12 engine.

This being Kahn Design which profess individuality, uniqueness and style etc, the interior trim is rather flexible. This one here however has some Alcantra on the wheel and on the sporty binnacle behind. The rest of the Aston Rapide‘s upholstery is left to the creamy leather.

Source: Kahn Design

July 21, 2012

Lamborghini Estoque confirmed for production

Lamborghini Estoque concept car, the four door performance saloon was exhibited at Paris motor show in 2008. Soon after that, there were rumors that the company won’t put it into production. The good news are that Stephan Winkelmann , has confirmed that the Lamborghini Estoque will go into production.

The Lamborghini Estoque measures 515cm in length, 199cm in width, and 135cm height and has a 301cm wheelbase. (more…)

December 6, 2010

2011 Aston Martin Rapide Luxe – more than you expect

Aston Martin Rapide is the most gorgeous high-end luxury sedan in the world. Still, it can be improved and the manufacturer actually done that.

Now, there is Rapide Luxe, which was just unveiled by Aston Martin UK. It is a combination of highly desirable functional features, a greater choice of paint and leather finishes as standard, and unique features including bespoke accessories.

The car can be ordered with 20″ 20-spoke alloys with polished finish, full grain leather interior with a choice of colors from the Fast Track or Contemporary ranges, and a luxury entertainment set for rear passengers. (more…)

November 15, 2010

Aston Martin Rapide pricing announced

Aston Martin announced the pricing of its Rapide four-door sports car, which is going to hit the market in the first quarter of 2010. While running its final engineering tests, Aston Martin Rapide got price tagged at £139,950 for the UK market. (more…)

December 4, 2009

Aston Martin Rapide – Four-Door Sports Car

Aston Martin Rapide Concept was revealed in 2006 at Detroit Auto Show. Now in 2009 the final version of Rapide is revealed at IAA Frankfurt. This is one of the most awaited cars of 2009.

The three most important for Aston Martin things are available in the Rapide – Power, Beauty and Soul.

A hand-built 6.0-litre V12 engine is taking care for the “Power” by producing 470bhp and 600N/m of torque. The gearbox is six-speed Touchtronic 2 automatic, which allows the driver to change gears automatically or manually via the steering column-mounted magnesium paddles. (more…)

September 15, 2009

Aston Martin Rapide: The World’s Most Elegant Four-Door Sports Car

The Aston Martin Rapide has moved into the final stages of its development programme, on course for a public debut in late 2009, with the first customer cars due to be delivered in early 2010.

First revealed as the Aston Martin Rapide Concept at the Detroit Auto Show in 2006, the Rapide is one of the most eagerly awaited cars of the year. As Aston Martin’s first true four-door production sports car, the Rapide encapsulates the core values of the brand within an elegant, high-powered sports grand tourer, with four full-sized seats, generous accommodation and luggage space and trademark Aston Martin performance. (more…)

April 15, 2009

Lagonda: Revival of a Luxury Brand

Aston Martin is proud to announce the return of Lagonda, one of the most iconic names in luxury car manufacturing. The intention is for Lagonda to enter the market place with a unique performance luxury product, a vehicle that combines exceptional ability with unsurpassed elegance, inside and out. Lagonda’s return signals a major expansion of Aston Martin’s product line, taking the company into new and emerging markets around the world. To demonstrate the Lagonda vision, the LAGONDA CONCEPT has been created, a car that epitomises the intersection of craft, design and technology with Aston Martin’s established high performance expertise. (more…)

March 4, 2009

Tag: Rapide