of the furnaces Aston Martin Some of the best sports cars in history have come out. The specialty of the English is to create passionate cars and great beauty. Entering the sedan segment is complicated, but the Aston Martin Rapide managed to demonstrate that Aston knows how to combine the best of several worlds.
Half sports car, half saloon, the Rapide takes its name from the Lagonda Rapide, a version of the first and fateful occasion when Aston Martin had a saloon in its range. Officially presented as a prototype at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show, the commercial unit would take a few years to go on sale, since it did not do so until 2009.
Over the years the Rapide has failed to conquer the markets, as the trend has turned towards SUVs. In fact, the end of its commercial life occurs in 2020, at the same moment that the figure of the Aston Martin DBX, the first SUV of the house and the one that will really conquer the markets. Before that disappearance, the English launched an electric version, a Rapide E with a production limited to only 155 units.
Technical characteristics of the Aston Martin Rapide
The Rapide is broadly an extended Aston Martin DB9 made saloon. Its design gives it away, but there are more elements shared with the predecessor of the Aston Martin DB11, such as the platform. A structure that for the sedan has been completely revised and refurbished to meet the new measurements and sportsmanship standards typical of the house.
Thanks to these modifications we are talking about a sedan belonging to the F segment. Its not at all discreet size is well camouflaged by an elegant and timeless design. Externally it reaches 5,02 meters long, 1,93 meters wide and 1,35 meters high.. To these dimensions must be added a wheelbase of 2,99 meters. A battle that allows you to offer an interior space for four passengers.
The classic 2+2 configuration allows the Aston Martin Rapide to display a highly comfortable second row of seats with adjustable seats. The occupants will travel comfortably since more attention is paid to them than to their objects. Regarding load capacity, the Rapide offers a trunk with 317 liters, expandable to 886 liters of maximum volume. Very low data in a sedan of this size.
Mechanical range and gearboxes of the Aston Martin Rapide
Rapide history is measured in seconds. Being one of the most powerful sedans in the world, its range shows disparate options. Over the years, a mechanical game has been produced, with new drive units coming in and others disappearing. At the time of his farewell there were two units available, each one so far from the other. A large displacement gasoline engine and a 100% electric variant with limited production.
The Aston Martin Rapide E is the first electric of the house. Engineers remove all traces of combustion engines and take their place with an electrical system with a 65 kWh capacity battery. This battery feeds two motors, one on each axis, which generate a 612 horse power output. The autonomy approved in the WLTP cycle is 322 kilometers. From 0 to 100 in 4,2 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h.
But the star of the house is the Aston Martin Rapide S. Under the hood a block of gasoline of 12 cylinder vee and 5.935 cubic centimeters of displacement. develop 598 horsepower at 7.000 revolutions and 630 Nm of maximum torque. From 0 to 100 km/h in 4,4 seconds and a top speed of 330 km/h. All the power is diverted to the rear axle through the management of an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox.
Equipment of the Aston Martin Rapide
Low sales and excessive obsolescence cause the demise of the Rapide. A very quiet goodbye to a very special sedan. Behind closed doors, he is capable of demonstrating everything that the English firm is accustomed to. A high sense of perceived quality thanks to noble materials such as leather and wood. The entire assembly process is done by hand.
As usual in this type of brand, Aston Martin does not offer a range of equipment itself. The English deliver all the technology possible from the first moment, and it is the client who finishes shaping the unit thanks to a extensive customization program coming from the Q division. An infinite catalog of options that allows each client to obtain an exclusive unit adapted to their taste.
As far as equipment is concerned, the Aston Martin Rapide blames a serious problem of obsolescence in its last years of life. Despite the constant renovations, the English cannot match the technology of more current rival models. Despite this, we can contemplate elements such as digital instrumentation, connectivity for mobile devices, multimedia system with touch screen, electric and heated seats and a discreet team of driving assistants.
The Aston Martin Rapide on video
The Aston Martin Rapide from Km 0 and second hand
The markets were not at all respectful of the Aston Martin sports saloon. Despite its high beauty and excellent behavior, few customers were seduced by the Rapide. It is not even a particularly desirable model in alternative sales channels, where the offer is very limited. All this causes the depreciation value is around 22%, a good figure, but significantly higher than that of rival models.
Since there is no longer a production base on it, the Km 0 market does not show any units available for sale. It is not uncommon either because this type of channel has always been null. If we move to the used and second-hand market, we hardly see a dozen options for sale. Prices range between 60 and 85 thousand euros, all of them with not very excessive mileage and with the design prior to the restyling of 2016.
Rivals of the Aston Martin Rapide
When talking about the rivals of the Aston Martin Rapide, it must be borne in mind that not many manufacturers can offer what the English house presents. That leaves us with the Rapide's enemy list is short, but very unique. That list includes names like: Audi S8, bmw 760li, Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe Saloon, Jaguar XJR, Porsche Panamera, Bentley Continental Flying Spur y Maserati Quattroporte. All of them are similar in terms of power, exclusivity and price, although it must be recognized that the Rapide is one of the most expensive.
Highlight
- Design
- Exclusivity
- dynamic behavior
To improve
- Veteran
- Habitability and trunk capacity
- Active driving aids
Aston Martin Rapide prices
Production of the Aston Martin Rapide has already ceased. Since the end of 2019 you can no longer buy a unit. It has always been one of the most expensive sports sedans on the market. At the end of its commercial life, the sale price of a new unit was around 228.713 euros. A base amount that adds up quickly when selecting some of the many customizable details. The Rapide leaves no successor on the market, with the brand focusing on the DBX and its sports classics.
Aston Martin Rapide Photo Gallery
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