Aston Martin Rapide S, Squared Exclusivity

In 2009, Aston Martin launched a sports super saloon, the Rapide S. It is an increasingly demanded segment that unites the best of each world, a supercar suitable for family travel.

In the end, it is nothing more than a DBS long enough to accommodate four passengers with its four corresponding doors, but as usual in the British firm, nothing comes out of its factory by halves. The design achieved is as spectacular as that of the DBS. Its lines do not seem an artificial adaptation, despite the fact that it exceeds five meters in length.

The forerunner of this type of vehicle is none other than the Porsche Panamera, but the truth is that this Aston Martin must be positioned one step above. With this we do not say that the German is a worse car, I would even dare to say that it is dynamically above and the quality of the interior of the Porsche has nothing to envy any other (except Rolls-Royce, Bentley and company, but that is other league). To this party we must also invite the Maserati Quattroporte and its stratospheric 5.26 meters.

100% Aston Martin aesthetics

Keeping the essence of a whole Aston Martin and fitting four doors into its body seems somewhat complicated. We all remember that first Porsche Panamera that hit the market, with a rather forced and unattractive sideline.

The front end is very reminiscent of the DBS, but with an even larger grille and horizontal chrome lines that give that aggressive and flamboyant look so typical of Aston Martin. If you only see the front of the car, it will be difficult for you to differentiate it from the brand’s sports cars.

The side view is the most representative of the model, it is a super saloon, of that there is no doubt, but the small dimensions of the rear doors and the pronounced drop of the roof make it not seem like it. Obviously, these attractive shapes greatly affect the interior habitability and access to the rear seats is much more uncomfortable than in any saloon.

The rear is almost identical to that of its brother, the Vantage. C-shaped pilots, two large tailpipes and a narrow tailgate shape well-known veteran lines. In the new DB11, the rear end has changed substantially, marking what will be the line of Aston Martin to come.

The Rapide S exudes elegance no matter where you look at it. In that, his rivals, both German and Italian, have nothing to do.

Conservative interior

The trim level of the interior of this Rapide S is, quite simply, sublime. The quality and perfection of the settings are top notch, even in areas where the eye can not reach it maintains the level of pleasure.

The dashboard, unlike the current trend, maintains a large number of buttons, practically one for each function of the vehicle. Inside, the years are quite noticeable for this Englishman and it could do with an update, although the truth is that handling a dashboard with such a dose of craftsmanship is a pleasure for the senses.

The four seats are comfortable, but the front ones much more. Despite the superb backets behind it , the legroom and ceiling height are somewhat tight.

The main problem, and this is where the biggest disadvantage is compared to its rivals, is the trunk. With 317 liters, loading the luggage of a weekend of the four occupants becomes a complicated task. We do not understand how, in a vehicle of more than five meters in length, they have not managed to better squeeze the interior. This section will be a negative point for your potential buyers.

Heart up to expectations

With twelve cylinders in vee and 5.9 liters of displacement, what one expects of it is that it is fast, and it is. It delivers 560 hp of power, enough to make it go from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.4 seconds and reach 327 km / h top speed. At the level of a true sports car, but to enjoy with the family.

While you will love the power of this magnificent V12, the sound it emits through its tailpipes will make you fall in love with it. Sounds like a real V12, no restrictions. When you go above 4000 rpm, the music coming out of the tailpipe gives you goosebumps. Although it is mounted in a super saloon, the sensations it transmits are of a sports car with capital letters.

The price of crafts

It starts at € 220,749, to which we must add the extras that you want to introduce in its endless list of very expensive options. It is not cheap, but if we consider that the vehicle is, to a large extent, manufactured by hand, it does not look bad when compared to its rivals.

The level of exclusivity that this model offers is unmatched in the market. Few (if any) options occur to me that dress a garage better than this Aston Martin Rapide S.