The Aston Martin Rapide S is an enhanced version of the 2010 Rapide model and is currently being showcased at the Geneva Motor Show. The Aston Martin Rapide S features a revised exterior design as well as additions to its interior. The Rapide S is the most powerful Aston Martin to date and offers 17% more power than the outgoing model.

Commenting on the Rapide S, Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “The Rapide S is to me, without doubt, the most beautiful four-door sports car on the market today. This is, very clearly, the power of luxury in action. The car’s stunning visual appeal is now matched by a much more powerful and yet more efficient engine – our exceptional new AM11 V12 – which increases massively both the excitement and performance potential of the Rapide S.

Aston Martin Rapide S is a special piece of machinery

Engine Capability

Powering the four-seat Rapide S is a 6.0-litre V12 engine that develops 410kW with a maximum torque figure of 620Nm. Acceleration from zero to 100km/h is achieved in 4.9 seconds before reaching a top speed of 305km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 14.1-litres/100km with CO2 emissions of 332g/km.

This powerful engine is mated to a ‘Touchtronic 2’ 6-speed transmission with electric shift.

Exterior Styling Features

The Aston Martin Rapide S features a new ‘face’ with a striking new full grille that is matched with a new rear deck profile which includes a more pronounced boot lid ‘flip’. Both the front and rear of the car are fitted with independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers for enhanced handling. The vehicle is also fitted with 20-inch silver-painted alloy wheels, aluminium door side-impact beams, single bi-xenon headlamps with integrated LED side lights, direction indicators and clear LED rear lamps.

Like other Aston Martin models, the Rapide S offers a Carbon Exterior pack that includes a carbon fibre front splitter, rear diffuser, mirror caps and rear lamp infills.

Interior Styling Features

The inside of the Aston Martin Rapide S features a full grain leather interior and Walnut fascia trim finished in a graphite centre console and iridium silver surround, electrically adjustable front seats with side airbags and power-folding exterior heated mirrors.

Additional features include a heated rear screen, Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays, trip computer, cruise control, Bluetooth telephone preparation1, an auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror, LED map reading lights and a boot-mounted umbrella. Also included is a 1000W Bang and Olufsen audio system with ICE power technology.

Optional Features

Optional features comprise of 20-inch ten-spoke alloy black-painted wheels with diamond-turned finish, alternative brake calliper finish in black, red, or silver, magnum Silver rear lamp infills, facia trims in Piano Black, bamboo, tamo ash or mahogany finish and an embroidered Rapide S seat logo.

Other optional features include personalised sill plaques, colour-keyed steering wheel and a twin-screen rear-seat entertainment system with six-disc DVD player.

The arrival of the Aston Martin Rapide S in South Africa is yet to be confirmed.