Discussion
I don't think the new huge mouth looks bad, but I do think it looks less good than it did before.
BTW, I'm not unhappy that the Rapide S has the "old" interior; I don't like the new Vanquish interior as much. IMO, the stitching in the new Vanq is overdone (though optional), the dash looks a bit blunt, the air vent surrounds on each end of the dash are far too big and over-styled, the door panels are fine but less distinctive, and it's a shame that the nav screen will need to be raised all or nearly all of the time. That sounds like I don't like it, which is not at all the case, but I definitely prefer the DB9/Rapide/Vantage interior.
BTW, I'm not unhappy that the Rapide S has the "old" interior; I don't like the new Vanquish interior as much. IMO, the stitching in the new Vanq is overdone (though optional), the dash looks a bit blunt, the air vent surrounds on each end of the dash are far too big and over-styled, the door panels are fine but less distinctive, and it's a shame that the nav screen will need to be raised all or nearly all of the time. That sounds like I don't like it, which is not at all the case, but I definitely prefer the DB9/Rapide/Vantage interior.
hartley said:
Love the new mouth , bit disappointed in the unchanged interior - have they stretched it and added the necessary additional rear foot room ? If the 8 speed is coming who's going to buy the 6 speed now ?
I too like the new grille, but without additional rear passenger space the car will still be compromised. According to the brochure it is only 1mm longer than the current Rapide and there is no mention of improved rear passenger space. With a length of 5020mm, only 107mm less than an XJ, it should have enough room to accommodate four adults in comfort over long distances. If not it remains a practical stretched DB9 or an impractical 4 door 2+2 GT long distance cruiser, which is a pity. It will be interesting to see how the arrival of the new "S" effects "Classic" Rapide residuals.brakedwell said:
It will be interesting to see how the arrival of the new "S" effects "Classic" Rapide residuals.
I'm hoping that they take a hit as there is nothing here that makes it so much better that I would want to pay the surplus over a current one. There are quite a few new ones sitting in the Swiss dealers and alternatively I'm also hoping that a few folks with current ones have to have one of the new ones.I got a call yesterday from the local dealer to inform me that it was announced and I'll probably go to Geneva to see it.
Does anyone know if production of the Rapide (original version) ever started in the UK? I'd have thought if you knew you were about to launch a new car you'd wait until then before starting.
chandrew said:
I'm hoping that they take a hit as there is nothing here that makes it so much better that I would want to pay the surplus over a current one. There are quite a few new ones sitting in the Swiss dealers and alternatively I'm also hoping that a few folks with current ones have to have one of the new ones.
I got a call yesterday from the local dealer to inform me that it was announced and I'll probably go to Geneva to see it.
Does anyone know if production of the Rapide (original version) ever started in the UK? I'd have thought if you knew you were about to launch a new car you'd wait until then before starting.
Yes they did produce them at Gaydon. When I was there in October saw them being built. They use the Vantage production line to build them on.I got a call yesterday from the local dealer to inform me that it was announced and I'll probably go to Geneva to see it.
Does anyone know if production of the Rapide (original version) ever started in the UK? I'd have thought if you knew you were about to launch a new car you'd wait until then before starting.
chandrew said:
I'm hoping that they take a hit as there is nothing here that makes it so much better that I would want to pay the surplus over a current one. There are quite a few new ones sitting in the Swiss dealers and alternatively I'm also hoping that a few folks with current ones have to have one of the new ones.
I got a call yesterday from the local dealer to inform me that it was announced and I'll probably go to Geneva to see it.
Does anyone know if production of the Rapide (original version) ever started in the UK? I'd have thought if you knew you were about to launch a new car you'd wait until then before starting.
All Rapide production moved to Gaydon ~ 18 months agoI got a call yesterday from the local dealer to inform me that it was announced and I'll probably go to Geneva to see it.
Does anyone know if production of the Rapide (original version) ever started in the UK? I'd have thought if you knew you were about to launch a new car you'd wait until then before starting.
I agree about the compromised rear seating, but it is still comparable with the Bentley GT , which in reality is the Rapide's main competitor IMO. The power hike makes the S competitive with the Speed, but this is a small part of Bentley's sales, so the S will still remain a very low volume niche product...... they need to introduce a less powerful torque heavy ( maybe charged V8) model near the Conti v8's 125k or price the S more competitively, but I'm sure they are aware of this 
The grill has ruined the stylish looks for me, but It certainly has presence.. Imagine that gaping maw filling your mirrors on the motorway!
The grill has ruined the stylish looks for me, but It certainly has presence.. Imagine that gaping maw filling your mirrors on the motorway!I don't get the idea of it being the Rapide that gets the 310 Engine as the first car in the line up. Nobody has ever said that it it needs more power and as the only none sports car in the line up this should not be the first port of call. They should have put this engine in the V12V as a first car and then drip feed it down the range thereafter.
hornbaek said:
I don't get the idea of it being the Rapide that gets the 310 Engine as the first car in the line up. Nobody has ever said that it it needs more power and as the only none sports car in the line up this should not be the first port of call. They should have put this engine in the V12V as a first car and then drip feed it down the range thereafter.
I agree... doesn't seem to make much sense does it? That engine should perhaps have gone into the V12VRs I think as a true halo project.
But then the 310 should have had the 8speed ZF, ASM II or a manual option and should have been in Skyfall somewhere! Who knows what Aston/Bez are playing at these days. One weird decision after another
hornbaek said:
I don't get the idea of it being the Rapide that gets the 310 Engine as the first car in the line up. Nobody has ever said that it it needs more power and as the only none sports car in the line up this should not be the first port of call. They should have put this engine in the V12V as a first car and then drip feed it down the range thereafter.
Actually I've heard quite a few people saying it could do with more power. If you compare it to the Panamera Turbo and other less niche rivals such as the CLS 63, M6 Gran Coupe, Audi RS7 etc, it does start to look a little underpowered with 470bhp. This brings it right back to where it should be imo.
Although I agree the V12V should have that engine.
hornbaek said:
I don't get the idea of it being the Rapide that gets the 310 Engine as the first car in the line up. Nobody has ever said that it it needs more power and as the only none sports car in the line up this should not be the first port of call. They should have put this engine in the V12V as a first car and then drip feed it down the range thereafter.
Agreed.They've "fixed" a problem no one knew existed by fitting a more powerful engine whilst simultaneously ignoring the real problem (and the reason for the car's existence), rear space.
Odd indeed.
)
may come true when the new Vantage arrives 
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