Aston Martin Rapide

Aston Martin Rapide
Overview
Manufacturer	Aston Martin
Production	2010–present
Assembly	Gaydon, England (2012–present) Graz, Austria (2010–2012)
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car (F)
Body style	4-door saloon
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Aston Martin VH platform
Powertrain
Engine	5.9 L V12
Transmission	6-speed 6HP26 automatic (2010–2014)[1] 8-speed 8HP70 automatic (2014–present)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	117.7 in (2,990 mm)
Length	197.6 in (5,019 mm)
Width	75.9 in (1,928 mm)
Height	53.5 in (1,359 mm)
Kerb weight	1,990 kg (4,387 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Aston Martin Lagonda

The Aston Martin Rapide is a 4-door, high-performance sports saloon, which British luxury marque Aston Martin introduced in early 2010. It was first presented as a concept car at Detroit's North American International Auto Show in 2006 and the production version of the Rapide was shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.^[2]

The Rapide name is a reference to the Lagonda Rapide, a saloon car produced by Lagonda, now part of Aston Martin. The new Rapide is the company's first 4-door saloon since the Aston Martin Lagonda was discontinued in 1989.^[3] It is based on the Aston Martin DB9 and shares the same VH platform.^[4]

The first cars were rolled out in May 2010,^[5] initially built at a dedicated plant at the Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria. The factory initially planned to build 2,000 per year,^[6] but relocated to England in 2012 after sales did not meet production targets.^[7]

Rapide (2010–2013)

Aston Martin Rapide

Aston Martin Rapide

Specifications

The Rapide is powered by a 5,935 cc (362 cu in) V12 engine, producing 470 bhp (350 kW; 477 PS) and torque of 443 lbf·ft (601 N·m). It is rear-wheel drive and has a six-speed Touchtronic automatic.

The Rapide can reach a top speed of 188.5 mph (303 km/h),^[6] and accelerate 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.3 seconds, or 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.0 seconds.

Equipment

The Rapide's standard features include a tilt-telescoping steering wheel, bi-xenon headlamps and LED taillamps. Leather and walnut trim are standard, with metallic accents; power front seats with memory, cooling and heating; Bluetooth; satellite radio (US version only); and USB and iPod connectivity.^[8] The Rapide comes, as standard, with a Bang & Olufsen 16 speaker sound system with two tweeters that rise from the dashboard on activation of the system.

Rapide S (2013–)

New front design of the Rapide S

Specification

As part of the 2014 facelift and revisions to the Rapide, the V12 engine is upgraded to now produce 550 bhp (410 kW; 558 PS).^[9] Performance improvements include a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h) and acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph) reduced to 4.9 seconds. CO₂ emissions are cut by 23g/km to 332g/km.

The Rapide S received further revisions in 2015, with: new 8-speed automatic transmission; power increase to 552 bhp (412 kW; 560 PS), resulting in acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds and a new top speed of 203 mph (327 km/h).^[10]

Production

Aston Martin opted to ending it's production by sub-contractor Magna Steyr in the middle of 2012, six years earlier than expected. Production of the car was also halted temporarily in May 2011. In the face of a diminishing market for luxury saloons, and to match output to shrinking sales, Aston Martin has to cut annual production from 2,000 to 1,250 in June 2011 - and may go as low as 500 annually.^[11]

Motorsports

A Rapide S was entered in the 2010 24 Hours Nürburgring. Drivers included Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez. It finished second in the SP 8 class.^[12] This Rapide S was powered a new technology introduced by Alset GmbH, Hybrid Hydrogen system that enables to use hydrogen and petrol individually or at the same time in an internal combustion engine. Aston Rapide S was the first car to race the 24 Hours Nürburgring with hydrogen fuel.^[13]

Media

	2010 Aston Martin Rapide road car 2010 Aston Martin Rapide racing car
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References

1. "Aston Martin Automatic Gearboxes". JT Automatics Ltd. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016.
2. "Aston Martin Officially Unveils the Four-Door Rapide". Automoblog.net.
3. "Aston Martin Lagonda (1978–1989) | Buying Guide | Buying | octane". Classicandperformancecar.com. 31 December 2008. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
4. "Aston Martin Rapide review". Autocar. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
5. Pal Tan First Aston Martin Rapide rolls out from Austrian factory at PaulTan.org, 10 May 2010
6. Vaughn, Mark (24 August 2009). "Desert Shakedown". AutoWeek. Detroit, Michigan: Crain Communications Inc. 59 (17): 27. ISSN 0192-9674.
7. "Rapide production cut back". Autocar. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
8. "First Drive: 2010 Aston Martin Rapide". MotorAuthority.com.
9. Migliore, Greg (4 February 2013). "Pushing the V12 Power". Autoweek. 63 (3): 7.
10. "Aston Martin Rapide S 2014 review". Auto Express. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
11. Rendell, Julian (2011-06-16). "Rapide production cut back". AutoCar.
12. Rusz, Joe (August 2010). "American Cars rule in European GT Racing". Road & Track. 61 (12): 107.
13. de Paula, Matthew. "Aston Martin Favors Hydrogen Over Hybrids, At Least For Now". Forbes. Forbes Publishing.

External links

• Official Rapide Page