17 Percent Power Increase

Aston Martin is celebrating its centenary, a landmark year. Following the earlier announcement of theLimited edition "Vanquish" centenary modellimited to 100 units worldwide, new news has arrived from Gaydon, UK. The four-door saloon "Rapide" has undergone a minor change and will be replaced by its more powerful iteration, the "Rapide S."

The Rapide, Aston Martin's first-ever four-door, first appeared at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show as a luxury GT car featuring a coupe-style exterior design and independent four-seat configuration.

The most significant update in this minor change is the 5,935cc V12 engine, which boasts a 17 percent increase in peak power. Maximum output is now 558ps at 6,750rpm, an increase of 81ps over the previous model, and maximum torque is 620Nm at 5,500rpm, up by 20Nm. As a result, top speed has risen from 303km/h to 306km/h, and 0-100km/h acceleration has been significantly improved, now taking 4.9 seconds, a reduction of 0.3 seconds.


Despite the power increase, the Rapide S also addresses the unavoidable efficiency demands of modern engine development, with improved fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions. Fuel consumption is 8.45km/l, and CO2 emissions are 332g/km, a 7 percent reduction from the previous 355g/km.

The chassis utilizes the fourth-generation extruded aluminum "VH platform," common to other Aston Martin models. The engine mounts have been lowered by 19mm, achieving an even lower center of gravity. Combined with DSC traction control and an Adaptive Damping System (ADS) offering three selectable settings – "Normal," "Sport," and "Track" – it enables a more sporting driving experience.

The exterior features a larger front grille, and the ducktail spoiler at the rear is more pronounced. Additionally, an optional "Carbon Exterior Pack" is now available, featuring carbon fiber components for the front lip spoiler, rear diffuser, and mirror housings. While there are no major changes to the interior, it now incorporates piano black trim, and significant improvements have been made to NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness), a crucial factor in vehicle comfort.

The launch is scheduled for next month at 146 authorized dealerships worldwide. The world premiere is expected at the Geneva Motor Show in March.