Aston Martin unleashes pumped-up Rapide S

Eager not to get left behind by the likes of the Porsche Panamera Turbo, Mercedes CLS63 AMG and BMW M6 Gran Coupe, Aston Martin has unleashed an amped-up Rapide S that’s claimed to all but match the German heavyweights in the performance stakes.

The key upgrades relate to the AM11 naturally-aspirated 6.0-litre V12 powerplant, which is claimed to deliver “unprecedented power and improved in-gear acceleration”, thanks to CNC machined combustion chambers and lighter, hollow, camshafts.

In terms of raw numbers, peak power jumps from the standard Rapide’s 350kW to a much more robust 410kW at 6750rpm.

Peak torque increases, too, up from 600Nm to 620Nm – albeit at a high 5000rpm, although Aston claims pulling power rises by more than 40Nm between idle and 4000rpm, with an additional 50Nm available at 2500rpm.

This could help address one of the Rapide’s shortcomings vis-à-vis its rivals – namely, a comparative lack of mid-range punch.

Aston Martin claims the Rapide S sprints from 0-100km/h in 4.9sec (compared with 5.2sec for the standard car), while top speed climbs to 305km/h (matching the new twin-turbo V8 Maserati Quattroporte).

Despite the added performance, fuel economy is also said to benefit, with the manufacturer quoting an overall consumption figure of 14.2L/100km.

In addition to being upgraded, the 6.0-litre V12 is also mounted 19mm lower than before, which is said to lead to a tangible improvement in front-end turn-in.

Meanwhile, the dynamic stability control (DSC) has been recalibrated in line with the Rapide S’s increases in power and torque, and the car gains the latest Gen4 iteration of Aston Martin’s hi-tech Adaptive Damping System (ADS), which offers three settings – ‘Normal’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Track’.

Aesthetic upgrades include the availability of a new optional Carbon Exterior Pack in which the front splitter, rear diffuser, mirror caps and rear lamp infills are all fashioned from carbonfibre.

Inside, there’s the option of a new piano black interior pack that adds a “deep, rich, mirror-like shine” to the facia, transmission tunnel centre plate and door handles.

There is also optional duotone perforated red and black leather trim for the four-seater, in which the two rear pews can be folded down at the touch of a button to triple the available load space.

Aston Martin says the Rapide S will be available to order through the brand’s 146 dealers worldwide next month with prices confirmed closer to the on-sale date.

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