RAPIDE is a great name for this car. This is the MyCarlady unvarnished truth about what $200 grand gets you in a premium luxury v12 sedan from Aston Martin. The Aston Martin Rapide is based on the James Bond favorite DB9 coupe, strapping four doors and lots of polish to 470hp. The truth in Vegas is: Aston Martin doesn’t want you to call the RAPIDE a SEDAN, it’s a four door touring sports car.
Upon approach the Rapide’s body is striking and handsome, it’s exterior lines sweep and curve in elegance. The paint is flawless, setting off a solid stainless steel grill and accents made by English-countryside artisans enameling jeweled winged badges for the hood, trunk and dash. The invisible door handles drop the windows at a touch, the body contours and wraps around a glass back hatch and chrome exhaust tips peek out ever so slightly from the buggy’s bottom. The car sits purring in idle, begging, teasing and daring me to come inside and take a spin.
It didn’t take an arm twist to assume the MyCarlady test drive position. The doors, officially titled: SWAN-DOORS, angle up 12 degrees as they open, swinging out effortlessly, while dropping the window magically away; making entry almost easy. The sill is high and the back seats are tight, but once you’re in, you’re in. Getting out requires a hip twist, leg-lift over the sill and pitch forward with a lady-in-waiting grab assist from a friend. Yoga moves are smoother than this exit strategy. Once inside the driver seat sculpted to your body… as long as you are not over 6’2″ or fifty pounds overweight. The heated and air-conditioned seats run off its own compressor, and are a bit loud when idling sans music.
Seated in the contoured driver heated/cooled seat, the only two options available: a non-touch-screen navigation system pops up from the dash, and a rear entertainment system buried in my headrest and that of the front passenger, are here. (The windshield pitch and dash board can give you reflection issues with the nav screen.) The DVD/Entertainmkent controls hidden in the almost non-existent armrest storage compartment. (Non-existent because the center hump holds all the technology for the additional air conditoning system for the seats.) The 15 speaker Bang & Olufson audio system has 1000 watts of power, is directionally optimized with pop-up round speakers designed to send the music to the ears of the passengers filling seats, rise above the engine at high speeds and mute for phone calls. The suede headliner is perfectly matched, stitched and should be appreciated more often than we usually give thought to when driving. The carpeted rear hatch is stepped and partitioned with flat-folding rear seats that include a cover to protect the leather and accommodate your gear. The detachable hatch cover acts as a trunk security cover for your belongings.
Tucked deep in the seat, the high beltline secures your shoulders in metal, leaving the side airbags to protect neck and head from injury upon impact. Ready…set…go…
Push Button start takes on a whole new meaning when I slipped the keyfob into it’s socket and pushed the D button to shift. Yup, all push button shifting like the “olde” days… Inaugurating the drive doesn’t launch you forward, easing off the brake the car seems to glide ahead in a cloud-like suspension. Ask for some power and the RAPIDE responds without hesitation or awkwardness. Subtle but deadly comes to mind. I traveled through traffic without any apprehension or struggle to control the power harnessed below. This car behaves exactly the way you expect a refined Englishman to act in public. The 470hp v12 is matched with a 6speed auto transmission and shares many of the attributes of the DB9 making it true to the heritage of a sports car. On open road, I didn’t have to ask the Rapide twice… It RIPS.. off the corners, practically sidesteps on lane changes. Hit the gas and it opens up the valves of the dual exhaust to announce your approach. The engine speaks volumes, along with three driving and handling options including a regular road worthy, sport mode and touring suspension. The v12 offers a 13city/18hwy MPG, not surprising. (I wonder if you couldn’t get a few more MPG’s with an electric air filter and spinner in the windpipe.) For all that $200,000.00 buys in the Aston Martin Rapide, the car is fun to drive, fast or slow.
Unfortunately, there are few tidbits I found troubling. Nothing soul-searching, gut-wrenching terrible, but nevertheless gave me pause to wonder…. WHY?
Why did Aston Martin not partner with Ford on the Navigation system? This includes the lack of a rear-view camera, opting for front and rear park-assist sensors. If you can stick a Volvo, non-touchscreen, non-SYNC-able in there, certainly the ultra-hip Ford SYNC could be bought for a fair price. Ford does understand English (Jaguar) electrical after all.
Why go manual on the steering wheel tilt and telescope? Not a biggie but really?
Why no moon-roof option? I get it requires three more inches of headroom, but three inches drafted into the total design would not have bothered me and I think those 6’3″ fat cats would have appreciated the extra headroom, if not the option.
Why only one cup-holder in the front for the driver? And if that isn’t an affront to the co-pilot, how about the fact that the cupholder hides some of the stereo/nav controls? Aston Martin could have taken a lesson from BMW about cup-holders, spills and electrical problems.
The ONE move push button key start is smarter than BMW, waking the car like a roaring tiger. Cooler still is the push button gear shift and a parking/emergency which engages a direct caliper application to the 20″ rimmed BREMBO brakes guaranteed to stop the most runaway ride with finger.
All in all, I loved everything about DRIVING the RAPIDE. This car is truly a niche model, and will remain so with less than 700 slated for the US this year. That said, I believe I can find a deal on one for the right client. So if you have a need for the occasional back seat accommodation, but otherwise want luxury and speed, this car owns it’s position in the marketplace; a 4 door rocket-ship of elegance, style and class.
To see the MyCarlady Youtube Test drive review of the yet to be released 2010 Aston Martin Rapide come back soon.
——————————————-
MyCarlady is a nationwide personal car buying service, like an auto broker but better. Discriminating clientele will find the concierge style of Sarah Lee and her team to be the best car buying experience without wasting your time or money. All information is private and confidential. l
as vegas auto broker, car borker, buyers agent,
]]>
Your 1 Stop Shop For All Your Automotive Needs! 702-521-7546
