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Thursday, January 24, 2013
And so beneath the gorgeous skin of the four-door Rapide S—which replaces the Rapide rather than being a high-performance addition to the range—lies Aston’s ubiquitous Gen-4 VH architecture. Nestled under the long hood is Aston’s equally well-known AM11 5.9-liter V-12, which is mounted 0.7 inch lower than before and sees an increase in output. Horsepower jumps from 470 to 550, while maximum twist nudges upward from 443 lb-ft to 457. (Aston also notes that the relatively rev-happy engine now has more torque available at lower engine speeds.) The company also says that the S will cut 0.4 second from the previous car’s 0–60 time, which we recorded at 4.8 seconds. Top speed is now 190 mph, which is up two ticks from before.
Not only does the Rapide S get the latest Aston Martin architecture and powerplant technology, it also receives the same Adaptive Damping System found in the newest Vanquish and DB9. It offers selectable Normal, Sport, and Track settings—the latter a vital inclusion for this class of car—but also automatically sets the firmness depending on driver inputs and road quality.
While the Rapide S might still look similar to the old car or even the DB9, it does feature a new grille that’s completely unique among the brand’s cadre of supercars. The look does away with the previous arrangement of upper and lower frames in favor of a single gaping maw. The new grille, together with a new hood, a new bumper construction, and the lowering of the engine allows the car, Aston says, to fully meet European pedestrian protection regulations without compromising aesthetics. (Read our story on how ped-pro regulations can affect a car’s design.) Aston says that aerodynamic tweaks, including a DB9-esque spoiler, counteract lift at higher speeds.
Thanks to: Car and Driver
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