The pioneer of the coupe sedan trend, or gran coupes as we know them today was the Mercedes CLS. The model was so unique and innovative that it caught the automotive world by storm and other manufacturers soon followed. Most notably, Audi with the A7 and Porsche with the Panamera. And although it may have seemed that Aston Martin entered the niche quite unexpectedly with the Rapide, it was in fact very natural for the brand. The Aston Martin Rapide was essentially a stretched version of the DB9 so development wasn’t going to bankrupt the manufacturer. That also means the Rapide horsepower would be the same as the DB9’s making it one of the fastest sedans in the world right from the start. And being hand built in England, the Rapide price would be one of its most impressive features despite having a V12 engine, four seats, and one of the most beautiful designs ever. However, you will be quite surprised to find out how much it goes for today by the end of this Rapide review. But if you are eager to find out right now, check out the ones currently for sale at Exotic Car Trader.
Ever since Aston Martin acquired the Lagonda manufacturer, it had been making four door sedans on and off under the Lagonda name. Two different models came, one in 1953 called the 3-Litre and then the Rapide in 1961. But neither of the two bore the name Aston Martin until the Aston Martin Lagonda came out in 1976. The 1976 Lagonda looked like something straight out of a sci-fi movie and it was technically the first four door Aston Martin. Unfortunately, the Lagonda was way too expensive to continue into the second generation, but the 2010s made the perfect breeding ground for a new ultra fast sedan. The Rapide was built on the VH platform, as were all Aston Martin models of the time, and it used the same drivetrain so it wasn’t as bespoke as its predecessors. It was also severely overpriced causing it to sell poorly, but it still remained in production until 2020. So, how many Rapides were produced? The estimate sits at well below 10,000 units despite Aston Martin aiming for 2,000 units per year. It’s the reason why the Rapide changes production locations. And the answer to where was the Rapide made is initially in Austria until 2012 before production switched to Gaydon where all other Aston Martin models were made. Now, let’s take this Rapide review to the more fun side.
The original Aston Martin Rapide was never meant to break any records, but then again, no Aston Martin ever was. The Rapide’s horsepower and torque were rated at 477 and 443 lb-ft until 2013, and 550 at 457 lb-ft between 2014 and 2020. Although that’s about the same output as the Panamera Turbo and Turbo S, Aston Martin does lack torque compared to it and it’s quite a bit heavier. The Rapide weighs in at 4,553 lbs which is more than 200 lbs heavier than the Panamera Turbo. But despite that, the Rapide’s 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds and later 4.5 is more than enough to excite even the fastest drivers. Rapide’s top speed is also impressive at 188 mph for the pre 2013 model, and 203 mph for the later Rapide S. Ultimately, the Rapide and the Panamera are two very different animals and while the Porsche is noticeably faster, nothing compares to an Aston Martin V12 in terms of excitement which is the entire point of such cars after all.
The Aston Martin Rapide’s interior is supposed to be its main selling point, after all, it only exists because of the two extra seats inside. And both the front and rear part of the cabin is both luxurious and beautiful while keeping the sporting spirit very much alive. The front part is typical Aston Martin of the time and looks pretty much identical to the DB9 and DBS. As for the seats, they certainly look extremely attractive and with a tall rear center console, it borderline looks like a spaceship interior. The rear passengers also get cup holders, AC controls and headrest screens. Unfortunately, the Rapide design is based on the DB9 which resulted with an extremely low roofline, poor knee room, and overall not enough space for the rear seats to be comfortable. The Panamera for example had 2.8 inches more headroom. That means the Rapide’s main selling point is also its main downside.
The Aston Martin Rapide exterior is very obviously inspired by the DB9. The front end uses the same headlight shape with LED daytime running lights, and the front grille has the signature Aston Martin shape. And while the front ends of the two models are not identical, they are at least 80% similar. The later Rapide S is a bit easier to distinguish as it gets a huge single front grille unlike any other Aston Martin of the time. The side profile is noticeably longer but the rear doors don’t jump in your face immediately thanks to Aston Martin’s hand built quality and resulting tight panel gaps. The Rapide design of the rear is then a perfect copy of the DB9. The tail lights are identical, and it features pretty much the same bumper with two exhausts punching out from the bumper. The later Rapide S also has a much more pronounced ducktail trunk lid and a slightly redesigned rear bumper. Ultimately, the Rapide was and is one of the most beautiful sedans ever made, and it’s certainly more beautiful than its main competitor, Panamera. After all, its looks alone are what convinced thousands of buyers to get their check books out.
The Aston Martin Rapide prices remained the same throughout its long production. Both the initial models and the later Rapide S had an MSRP of around $205,000. That’s almost twice as much as the Panamera Turbo, but today, the prices are much more reasonable. And besides, an Aston Martin Rapide is a much more collectible item than a Panamera will ever be. In the US, the early Rapides go for between $35,000 and $60,000 on average, while the Rapide S has a price range of $50,000 to $90,000. The Rapide definitely has its many, many faults but it’s still one of the most charming sedans ever made and thanks to that, it will always have its customers.
In the end, the Aston Martin Rapide will likely remain the only modern Aston Martin sedan as the brand is already shifting toward building SUVs. That makes the Rapide with its naturally aspirated V12 a truly one of a kind in the past decade. And while it has its flaws and while there are certainly better cars out there, none offer such a unique experience. And since now is the time to grab one, buying it through Exotic Car Trader is the best way to go about it. Exotic Car Trader takes care of escrow protection, delivery, first inspection and offers infinite convenience. The same goes if you are looking to sell your car through Exotic Car Trader.
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