Aston Martin Rapide
| Aston Martin Rapide | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Aston Martin |
| Production | 2010–present |
| Assembly |
Gaydon, England (2012–present) Graz, Austria (2010–2012) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Full-size luxury car (F) |
| Body style | 4-door saloon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | Aston Martin VH platform |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.9 L V12 |
| Transmission |
6-speed automatic (2010–2014) 8-speed automatic (2014 onwards) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 117.7 in (2,990 mm) |
| Length | 197.6 in (5,019 mm) |
| Width | 75.9 in (1,928 mm) |
| Height | 53.5 in (1,359 mm) |
| Kerb weight | 1,950 kg (4,299 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Aston Martin Lagonda |
The Aston Martin Rapide is a 4-door, high-performance sports saloon, which British luxury marque Aston Martin introduced in early 2010. It was first presented as a concept car at Detroit's North American International Auto Show in 2006 and the production version of the Rapide was shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.[1]
The Rapide name is a reference to the Lagonda Rapide, a saloon car produced by Lagonda, now part of Aston Martin. The new Rapide is the company's first 4-door saloon since the Aston Martin Lagonda was discontinued in 1989.[2] It is based on the Aston Martin DB9 and shares the same VH platform.[3]
The first cars were rolled out in May 2010,[4] initially built at a dedicated plant at the Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria. The factory initially planned to build 2,000 per year,[5] but relocated to England in 2012 after sales did not meet production targets.[6]
Rapide (2010–2013)
Specifications
The Rapide is powered by a 5,935 cc (362 cu in) V12 engine, producing 470 bhp (350 kW; 477 PS) and torque of 443 lbf·ft (601 N·m). It is rear-wheel drive and has a six-speed Touchtronic automatic.
The Rapide can reach a top speed of 188.5 mph (303 km/h),[5] and accelerate 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.3 seconds, or 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.0 seconds.
Equipment
The Rapide's standard features include a tilt-telescoping steering wheel, bi-xenon headlamps and LED taillamps. Leather and walnut trim are standard, with metallic accents; power front seats with memory, cooling and heating; Bluetooth; satellite radio (US version only); and USB and iPod connectivity.[7] The Rapide comes, as standard, with a Bang & Olufsen 16 speaker sound system with two tweeters that rise from the dashboard on activation of the system.
Rapide S (2013–)
Specification
As part of the 2014 facelift and revisions to the Rapide, the V12 engine is upgraded to now produce 550 bhp (410 kW; 558 PS).[8] Performance improvements include a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h) and acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph) reduced to 4.9 seconds. CO2 emissions are cut by 23g/km to 332g/km.
The Rapide S received further revisions in 2015, with a new 8-speed automatic transmission, a small power increase to 552 bhp (412 kW; 560 PS), and acceleration 0-100 km/h (62 mph) now 4.4 seconds. And a new top speed of 203 mph (327 km/h). [9]
Production
Aston Martin opted to end production by sub-contractor Magna Steyr in the middle of 2012, six years earlier than expected. Production of the car was also halted temporarily in May 2011. In the face of a diminishing market for luxury saloons, and to match output to shrinking sales, Aston Martin has to cut annual production from 2,000 to 1,250 in June 2011 - and may go as low as 500 annually.[10]
Motorsports
A Rapide S was entered in the 2010 24 Hours Nürburgring. Drivers included Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez. It finished second in the SP 8 class.[11] This Rapide S was powered a new technology introduced by Alset GmbH, Hybrid Hydrogen system that enables to use hydrogen and petrol individually or at the same time in an internal combustion engine. Aston Rapide S was the first car to race the 24 Hours Nürburgring with hydrogen fuel.[12]
Media
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2010 Aston Martin Rapide road car
 2010 Aston Martin Rapide racing car
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| Problems playing these files? See media help. | |
References
- ↑ "Aston Martin Officially Unveils the Four-Door Rapide". Automoblog.net.
- ↑ "Aston Martin Lagonda (1978–1989) | Buying Guide | Buying | octane". Classicandperformancecar.com. 31 December 2008. Archived from the original on 24 December 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
- ↑ "Aston Martin Rapide review". Autocar. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- ↑ Pal Tan First Aston Martin Rapide rolls out from Austrian factory at PaulTan.org, 10 May 2010
- 1 2 Vaughn, Mark (24 August 2009). "Desert Shakedown". AutoWeek (Detroit, Michigan: Crain Communications Inc.) 59 (17): 27. ISSN 0192-9674.
- ↑ "Rapide production cut back". Autocar. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- ↑ "First Drive: 2010 Aston Martin Rapide". MotorAuthority.com.
- ↑ Migliore, Greg (4 February 2013). "Pushing the V12 Power". Autoweek 63 (3): 7.
- ↑ "Aston Martin Rapide S 2014 review". Auto Express. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ↑ Rendell, Julian (2011-06-16). "Rapide production cut back". AutoCar.
- ↑ Rusz, Joe (August 2010). "American Cars rule in European GT Racing". Road & Track 61 (12): 107.
- ↑ de Paula, Matthew. "Aston Martin Favors Hydrogen Over Hybrids, At Least For Now". Forbes. Forbes Publishing.
External links
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