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Aston Martin enhances Rapide with new S model

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin, Luxury

We've never really thought of the Aston Martin Rapide as being an old car in need of an update, but since the gorgeous sedan has, in fact, been around since 2010, we suppose a tidy freshening is in order. Here at the Geneva Motor Show, Aston is showing off the new Rapide S, which adds minor styling tweaks and a bit more oomph to the rakish four-door package. But don't be fooled, the S isn't just a trim-and-tape up-do - it wholly replaces the outgoing Rapide.

That's fine with us, since the new car improves upon an already exceptional package. The big sedan's V12 gets a power injection to the tune of 80 horsepower and 14 pound-feet of torque, bringing the totals up to 550 and 457, respectively. This means the Rapide S can hit 60 miles per hour in 4.7 seconds compared to the outgoing car's 5.1, on its way to a top speed of 190 mph. Woosh.

Visual changes for the new S model include a reworked front fascia with a one-piece grille, new 20-inch wheels, a slightly redesigned rear fascia, and a carbon fiber exterior pack that adds a bit of design differentiation to some of the car's outside details. Pricing hasn't been announced just yet, but expect this Aston to come in around the $200,000 mark. Scroll down for the full details in the press blast.

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Aston Martin enhances Rapide with new S model originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin Rapide S adds an extra consonant worth 550 hp [w/video]

John Neff — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 20:51:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Aston Martin, Luxury

Goodbye Aston Martin Rapide. Hello Aston Martin Rapide S. That's right, Aston Martin has unveiled an updated version of its famously beautiful four-door and given its name a new consonant to boot.

The 'S' probably stands for "Sport," as the new Rapide's most significant upgrade is under the bonnet where Aston's V12 has been poked and prodded to produce 550 horsepower, a stout 80 more units of equine oomph than last year's model. Torque is likewise up 14 pound-feet to 457 at 5,000 rpm. Performance has improved in turn, with the Rapide S now able to reach 60 miles per hour in 4.7 seconds compared to 5.1 seconds before and its top speed climbing to 190 mph.

All 6.0 liters of the Rapide's engine now sit 19 millimeters lower than before, which aids handling along with the car's new adaptive suspension, tagged with the inspiring moniker of "Adaptive Damping System." ADS offers drivers three settings: Normal, Sport and Track, the latter of which implies the Rapide S will be able make the most of its newfound power.

Of course, if the Rapide is known for anything, it's the car's devastatingly good looks, and Aston has been somewhat careful here so as not to alter a curve the wrong way and ruin the Rapide's main selling point. What has changed is the grille, which grows in size and shrinks in number to just a single gaping maw. While still the face of a super model, Aston Martin won't be shaking the comparison to recent Ford designs with this one. There's also a subtle reworking of the car's rear decklid, but otherwise the Rapide S is as stunning as it always was, and a new Carbon Exterior Pack will add those precious fibers to all the major exterior trim pieces.

Aston has spared the interior from much change, instead offering a new piano black interior pack and debuting Duotone perforated red and black leather in the Rapide S.

Pricing has yet to be announced, but Aston Martin says the new Rapide S will be available to order worldwide next month. We're pretty sure its price tag will remain above $200,000, though, so maybe the 'S' stands for "So Not Gonna Happen On My Salary."

Continue reading Aston Martin Rapide S adds an extra consonant worth 550 hp [w/video]

Aston Martin Rapide S adds an extra consonant worth 550 hp [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2013 20:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin Rapide S spotted testing

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Aston Martin, Luxury

In May 2011 our spy photographers caught this Aston Martin lapping the Nürburgring. Supposition at the time was that it is a faster, more powerful Rapide S that would offer up to 50 more horsepower under the hood and a tweaked grille and bumper so that you could pick it out of the line-up.

The rumor remains the same, and the more powerful V12 engine it is expected to employ will bring along ceramic brakes and a revised suspension to manage the additional ponies. With a year between sightings - perhaps due to the production slowdown - it's anyone's guess when it will roll into showrooms, but we wouldn't be surprised at a Paris Motor Show debut.

Aston Martin Rapide S spotted testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Jul 2012 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin Rapide S undergoing testing on the 'Ring

Noah Joseph — Thu, 26 May 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Aston Martin, UK, Luxury

Aston Martin Rapide S spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Word on the street is that Aston Martin is developing a faster, more powerful version of its Rapide four-door, a rumor fueled by new spy shots snapped on Germany's infamous Nürburgring. The camouflaged prototype pictured above appears to pack a revised front end and tail, with larger intakes up front and a lip spoiler and reshaped bumper around back.

Underneath the revised fascias, sources expect to find the 510-horsepower V12 from the DBS to upgrade from the DB9-spec 470-hp mill already in place in the "standard" Rapide. Couple this with carbon-ceramic brakes and revised suspension, and the Rapide S is starting to shape up as a real barnstormer.

In short, if the existing Rapide is a four-door DB9, expect the Rapide S to come in as a four-door DBS - suitable for carrying 007 and not just one, but three Bond girls to their next mission or exotic locale.

Aston Martin Rapide S undergoing testing on the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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