Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Aston Martin Rapide S adds an extra consonant worth 550 hp

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/aston...photo-5589539/

Goodbye Aston Martin Rapide. Hello Aston Martin Rapide S. That's right, Aston Martin has unveiled an updated version of its famously beautiful four-door and given its name a new consonant to boot.

The 'S' probably stands for "Sport," as the new Rapide's most significant upgrade is under the bonnet where Aston's V12 has been poked and prodded to produce 550 horsepower, a stout 80 more units of equine oomph than last year's model. Torque is likewise up 14 pound-feet to 457 at 5,000 rpm. Performance has improved in turn, with the Rapide S now able to reach 60 miles per hour in 4.7 seconds compared to 5.1 seconds before and its top speed climbing to 190 mph.

All 6.0 liters of the Rapide's engine now sit 19 millimeters lower than before, which aids handling along with the car's new adaptive suspension, tagged with the inspiring moniker of "Adaptive Damping System." ADS offers drivers three settings: Normal, Sport and Track, the latter of which implies the Rapide S will be able make the most of its newfound power.

Of course, if the Rapide is known for anything, it's the car's devastatingly good looks, and Aston has been somewhat careful here so as not to alter a curve the wrong way and ruin the Rapide's main selling point. What has changed is the grille, which grows in size and shrinks in number to just a single gaping maw. While still the face of a super model, Aston Martin won't be shaking the comparison to recent Ford designs with this one. There's also a subtle reworking of the car's rear decklid, but otherwise the Rapide S is as stunning as it always was, and a new Carbon Exterior Pack will add those precious fibers to all the major exterior trim pieces.

Aston has spared the interior from much change, instead offering a new piano black interior pack and debuting Duotone perforated red and black leather in the Rapide S.

Pricing has yet to be announced, but Aston Martin says the new Rapide S will be available to order worldwide next month. We're pretty sure its price tag will remain above $200,000, though, so maybe the 'S' stands for "So Not Gonna Happen On My Salary."

Source and Video:
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/22/a...h-550-hp-w-vi/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Just spectacular

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

For comparison sake:

Pre-facelift


Refresh

Seize

In white







*source
http://www.tuningnews.net/photo_prev...rtin-rapide-s/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

My goodness I need one!

Gojirra99

I prefer pre-facelift grill

speedflex

I agree. It was more Astony.

TangoRed

I love the new grille, and I'm usually against the huge grille look. Having said that, this car doesn't make much sense to me. If you can barely put someone in the back seats, why not just get the DB9?

LexFather

Ford Fusion MMC will now include larger grill

Looks great here in white to me

Motor

JessePS

Nom, nom, nom. That is what I think of the large grill.

I8ABMR

These guys just get better and better. The know how to make a car look amazing.