Aston Martin Rapide S MY15: Review
Does the eight-speed gearbox finally make good on the Rapide's potential? PH takes a drive
And now it's been plucked from the dish and replaced by the same, fantastic, drivetrain as we tested recently in the similarly updated Vanquish.
Driving the MY15 Rapide S is an occasion in itself. Like most of the cars in this price range, the cockpit inspires an emotional response, for better or for worse. Surely, you'd have to be made of Scottish granite to ignore the melodious bark of 12cylinders firing up.
Eight times better
From the insertion of the pretentiously titled Emotional Control Unit - otherwise known as a 'key' - the stark roar and urgent fast idle from cold are not for the shy and retiring, though it soon drops to a typically smooth V12 tickover. The novelty of such a theatrical procedure may not always be welcome but such are the necessities of the emissions regulated warm-up.
In relaxed driving, the response of the updated 560hp engine and gearbox is absurdly smooth. It might only be 2hp up on last year, but the new ECU is a big change. And while the magic Sport button isn't quite so important when you're just floating along luxuriously, enjoying the efforts of Messrs Bang & Olufsen, it's always waiting for you.
When attention shifts from inside the Rapide to outside, and you've successfully navigated the frankly bewildering center console to enable sport mode and sport damping, then it all gets quite exciting.
Pushing this massive car through lanes and around hairpins is a lot easier than you'd ever think. Darting changes of direction, confident levels of grip from entry to exit. And that massive, top-end chorus of philharmonic V12 surge standing ready to push the rear tyres to their limits on every exit.
We said it of the Vanquish, and we'll say it here too. The quick to change and tightly-spaced eight-speed ZF gearbox is the best thing to ever happen to this car. It suits the delivery and nature of the AM29 engine perfectly. Scooting up to seventh and eighth in automatic modes maintains an economy unheard of in such a gratuitous 6.0-litre beast (21.9mpg combined, 31mpg extra-urban!). And the short gaps between ratios mean you can keep the motor on the boil when required. No dropping out of the power here. The Rapide S will even top 203mph now, a massive increase over last year's 190mph.
That this experience can be shared with three full-size adults, with only the slightest trade-off in performance versus a two-seater, is impressive.
With significant objective faults eliminated, the Rapide S might have reached a pinnacle right now. It's relatively safe to assume that this could be the last naturally-aspirated Rapide S ever. Over the horizon lurks AMG power, and behind that the global might of Mercedes Benz. Will it just be AMG engines that get shared with AML, or will the CLS-building Germans want a bigger slice of the pie?
ASTON MARTIN RAPIDE S
Engine: 5,935cc, V12
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 560@6,650rpm
Torque (lb ft): 465@5,500rpm
0-62mph: 4.4 sec
Top speed: 203mph (electronically limited)
Weight: 1,990kg
MPG: 21.9mpg (claimed)
CO2: 300g/km
Price: £147,950
Never seen the problem with the intimate cabin. Who actually drives from London to Monaco in a car these days. From house to restaurant perhaps, in which case it is fine. To deliver the kids to school sans RR Sport more likely.
That Dr Bez increased Aston's sales etc is all well and good yet the predatory, nationalistic and protectionist German car industry another matter. He stated clearly that Aston production would move abroad and the early Rapide was built in Austria.
It is getting really tiresome that Germany is eating up so many car companies with their suppliers in tow.
That V12 (although made by "special Aston employees" at Ford Cologne) is a thing of beauty. It will be replaced by a mass produced AMG unit. Which in reality is oddly similar to BMW's until you realise that BMW's main suppliers are the same as Mercs.
Next up an AMG unit, the ZF box plus axles topped with Bosch electronic everything and German suspension. Aston Martin will thus be reduced to sewing leather, knocking panels about and some painting for a while before it finally dies as an independent company. Even Dave Richards has given up. Cosworth, Hewland and Ricardo will likely follow at some point too.
To many that won't matter because so many people push numbers about in glass towers these days. It might however to the @250 people that could be making engines for Aston Martin and subsequently other companies. Buyers will be swooning at the fact that AMG is pumping its suppliers into an other soon to be lost independent British car company. If McLaren, Jag, TVR and other companies can, so could Aston Martin. Fortunately by the time I can afford this Rapide it will be the last of the great Aston V12's (although it is made in Cologne by Ford).
That V12 (although made by "special Aston employees" at Ford Cologne) is a thing of beauty. It will be replaced by a mass produced AMG unit. Which in reality is oddly similar to BMW's until you realise that BMW's main suppliers are the same as Mercs
However, gearbox aside its still pretty dated, cramped in the rear (impossible for kids on child seats particularly) and lacks usable luggage space.
Its still just a coupe with occasional rear seats for small people who aren't in child seats.
The Rapide falls between 2 more extreme and better options. For my money a Conti GT or a Ferrari FF offer better sporting / capacity balances...
However, gearbox aside its still pretty dated, cramped in the rear (impossible for kids on child seats particularly) and lacks usable luggage space.
Its still just a coupe with occasional rear seats for small people who aren't in child seats.
The Rapide falls between 2 more extreme and better options. For my money a Conti GT or a Ferrari FF offer better sporting / capacity balances...
Most of these cars are Personal Luxury Vehicles that by their nature will be comprimised.
Rapide owner will have full fat RR when full practicality is required.
I asked on another thread and it means model year.. but this is 2014 and the car is 14 plate?
Can somebody help out, I am a bit confused, is this like the American's calling cars that are new in 2014, 2015 cars???
These updates are usually announced around April / May time, with cars arriving in the US around September / October. The manufactures distinguish these models by model year designation as it is easier to determine what spec and updates are on that car.
For companies such as Mercedes and BMW, it is essential as there can be huge differences between the model years.
It's the sort of thing that you might be able to get away with in flamboyant Italian stuff, but it's just chintzy and kitsch in an Aston Martin
What I do care about is that they apparently haven't addressed any of the dash board ergonomic issues. It looks good on pictures, but actually in the car driving, it is not quite that brilliant. 10 years ago you could get away with that pop up screen, in 2014 it looks ridiculously dated inside a car with a six figure price tag. The reverse rev counter might be a gimmick one gets used to, but the fact that neither it nor the speedo start at the bottom, but slightly beyond is playing mind tricks when trying to drive slowly. More a problem is the polished steel / reflective material - on a sunny day you can hardly read it.
None of the above are mayor issues, but they have been around 10+ years now and by not addressing them at all the gap between the competition is only going to widen.
The exterior is as gorgeous as one came to expect from AM. Not sure about the big grill, it works as long as a number plate is present.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff