The 2014 Aston Martin Rapide S is a fashion model but don’t let her fool you. The new version of the Aston Martin 2010 Rapide, styled with an elongated hood and a cabin placed just in front of the rear axle, is a slender 83 inches wide compared to the more muscular DBS and Vanquish V12s. The best part, though, for those of you who want to be able to take more than one friend for a little turn on the catwalk, is that the Rapide allows four passengers, with two extra doors to accommodate backseat drivers.
An improved AM11 all-alloy quad overhead camshaft 48-valve V12 delivering 550 hp at 6,750 rpm and 450 lb-ft of torque at 5,500 rpm resides under the carbon fiber hood, with an increase of 80 hp and more torque than the previous Rapide, with the added bonus of delivering more torque at lower RPMs. Every Aston Martin Rapide S review shows that she tested 0-60 in 4.7 second range and tops out at 190 mph. Like the other new Aston Martin GT’s, the engine sits 0.7” lower, improving the center of gravity. Mileage is also improved in this lightweight sports saloon, giving 13.2 city/28 highway mpg.
Handling is assisted by the same Adaptive Damping System found in the Vanquish and the Rapide offers a selection of Sport, Normal and Track modes, automatically sensing road conditions and driver input and adjusting accordingly.
Look for the Rapide to strut the catwalk at the New York Auto Show in March and in dealerships around May or June of 2013, with a base Aston Martin Rapide price of $199,950. Tack on another $2,815 for destination fees and you have a grand total of $202,765.00 without added luxury options but with Aston Martin’s lavish base model goodies such as seatback-mounted displays for passenger entertainment and a six-CD changer 1,000-watt Bang & Olufsen stereo system and heated front and rear seats, who really needs more gadgets to impress?
