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Aston Martin Rapide

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This article is about the current Rapide. For the car sold under Lagonda Of Aston Martin, see Lagonda Rapide.

Aston Martin Rapide
Aston Martin Rapide S
Overview
ManufacturerAston Martin Lagonda Limited
ProductionMay 2010–present
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassMid-size luxury car (E)[1][2]
Body style4-door fastback saloon
LayoutFront mid-engine, rear-wheel drive
PlatformVH Generation3
Related
Powertrain
Engine5.9 L V12
Transmission6-speed ZF 6HP26 (Touchtronic II) automatic (2010–2014)[3]
8-speed ZF 8HP70 (Touchtronic III) automatic (2015–present)
Dimensions
Wheelbase117.7 in (2,990 mm)
Length197.6 in (5,019 mm)
Width75.9 in (1,928 mm)
Height53.5 in (1,359 mm)
Kerb weight1,990 kg (4,387 lb)

The Aston Martin Rapide is a 4-door, 4-seater, high-performance sports saloon, which British mid-sized luxury marque Aston Martin introduced in early 2010. It was first presented as a concept car at Detroit's North American International Auto Show in 2006 and the production version of the Rapide was shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.[4]

The Rapide name is a reference to the Lagonda Rapide, a four-door saloon produced by Lagonda, now a part of Aston Martin. The new Rapide is the company's first 4-door fastback saloon since the Lagonda which was discontinued in 1989.[5] The Rapide is based on the Aston Martin DB9 and is underpinned by the VH Generation3 platform.[6]

The first cars rolled off the production line in May 2010,[7] initially built at a dedicated plant at the Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria. The factory initially planned to build 2,000 cars per year,[8] but production was relocated to England in 2012 after sales did not meet production targets.[9]

Rapide (2010–2013)

Aston Martin Rapide fastback

Specifications

The Rapide is powered by a 5,935 cc (5.9 L; 362.2 cu in) V12 engine, generating a maximum power output 477 PS (351 kW; 470 hp) and torque of 600 N⋅m (443 lb⋅ft). The car is rear-wheel drive and has a 6-speed Touchtronic II automatic transmission.

The Rapide can reach a top speed of 303 km/h (188 mph),[8] and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.2 seconds.

Equipment

The Rapide's standard features include a tilt-telescoping steering wheel, bi-xenon headlamps and LED taillamps. Leather and walnut wood trim with metallic accents; power front seats with memory, cooling and heating systems; Bluetooth; satellite radio (US version only); with USB and iPod connectivity.[10] Other standard features include a Bang & Olufsen 16-speaker sound system with two tweeters that rise from the dashboard on activation of the system.

Rapide S (2013–present)

Rapide S

Specifications

As part of the 2014 facelift and revisions to the Rapide, the V12 engine is upgraded to now produce 558 PS (410 kW; 550 hp) and torque of 620 N⋅m (457 lb⋅ft).[11] Performance improvements include a top speed of 306 km/h (190 mph) and acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) reduced to 4.9 seconds. CO2 emissions are cut by 23g/km to 332g/km.

The Rapide S received further revisions in 2015, with a new 8-speed Touchtronic III automatic transmission and power increase to 560 PS (412 kW; 552 hp) and 630 N⋅m (465 lb⋅ft) of torque, resulting in an acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds and an increased top speed of 327 km/h (203 mph).[12]

RapidE Concept

In 2015, Aston Martin was reported to be working at an all-electric version of the Rapide. The model named RapidE was confirmed for production in 2017 at the 2018 Frankfurt Motor Show, the company revealed that the RapidE would go into production in the fourth quarter of 2019. The RaipdE is expected to rival Porsche's upcoming Taycan electric saloon.

155 examples of the model would be produced at Aston Martin's dedicated production facility located in St Athan, Wales where future all-electric Lagonda models will also be produced. Williams Advanced Engineering would be providing R&D assist in the protype building and testing process with close involment from interested customers.

The RapidE will be powered by a 65 kWh battery supplied by HyperBat Limited; a new joint venture between WAE and Unipart manufacturing group. The battery would be capable of 800 volt power transfers. 5,600 lithium-ion electric cells would be fitted in the engine bay along with two electric motors supplied by Integral Powertrain at the rear. Both of the motors will drive the car via an Xtrac transmission featuring a limited-slip differential. A new suspension system will be implemented to better cope with the changes in the drive train.

The two electric motors will have a combined power output of 610 PS (602 hp) and 949 N⋅m (700 lb⋅ft) of torque. The car will have claimed acceleration figures of 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) in 4.0 seconds and 80–113 km/h (50–70 mph) along with a top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h). Maximum performance will be accessible regardless of battery charge. A prototype was tested at the Nurbürgring to ensure that the car delivers linear power despite hard usage.

The car will have a projected range of 200 mi (322 km) (WLTP) and will charge up to 185 miles of range an hour on a 400-volt; 50 kW charger. The car can also be charged on an 800-volt super charging station which increases the charging rate. The RapidE will be fitted with low-drag wheels and low-resistance Pirelli P Zero tyres for maximum efficiency.[13][14][15][16]

Rapide S AMR

Rapide S AMR

In June 2018, Aston Martin unvieled the AMR version of the Rapide S. The Rapide S AMR has the same race inspired treatments applied as on the Valkyrie, DB11 and the Vantage. The 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine has received a power increase to 603 PS (444 kW; 595 hp) and 630 N⋅m (465 lb⋅ft) of torque, courtesy of better air flow to the engine and new callibration.

The 8-speed automatic transmission has also received recalibration for better shift timing. The car now comes standard with Michelin Pilot Supersport tyres and 21-inch alloy wheels, the biggest wheels ever fitted to an Aston Martin. The new model features carbon ceramic braking system with six piston calipers at the front and four piston calipers at the rear featuring 400 mm and 360 mm brake rotors front and aft. The car features a new front grille, "sprout" fog lamps and side sills, rear diffuser and bootlid made from carbon fibre.

The Rapide S AMR can accelerate from 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) in 4.4 seconds and can attain a claimed top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h).

Interior options include a One-77 steering wheel, a personalised plaque along with logos and a variety of colour schemes. Production will be limited to 200 examples only.[17]

Production

Aston Martin opted to ending its production by sub-contractor Magna Steyr in the middle of 2012, six years earlier than expected. Production of the car was also halted temporarily in May 2011. In the face of a diminishing market for luxury saloons, and to match output to shrinking sales, Aston Martin had to cut annual production from 2,000 to 1,250 in June 2011 - and may go as low as 500 annually.[18]

Motorsports

A Rapide S was entered in the 2010 24 Hours Nürburgring. Drivers included Aston Martin CEO Ulrich Bez. It finished second in the SP 8 class.[19] This Rapide S was powered by a new technology introduced by Alset GmbH, a Hybrid Hydrogen system that enables the car to use hydrogen and petrol individually or at the same time in an internal combustion engine. The Rapide S was the first car to race the 24 Hours of Nürburgring with hydrogen fuel.[20]

Media

2010 Aston Martin Rapide road car
2010 Aston Martin Rapide racing car
Problems playing these files? See media help.

References

  1. ^ "Overview of Rapide in future electric version".
  2. ^ "An example of Rapide's proper rival".
  3. ^ "Aston Martin Automatic Gearboxes". JT Automatics Ltd. Archived from the original on 25 April 2016.
  4. ^ "Aston Martin Officially Unveils the Four-Door Rapide". Automoblog.net.
  5. ^ "Aston Martin Lagonda (1978–1989) | Buying Guide | Buying | octane". Classicandperformancecar.com. 31 December 2008. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 18 December 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Aston Martin Rapide review". Autocar. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  7. ^ Pal Tan First Aston Martin Rapide rolls out from Austrian factory at PaulTan.org, 10 May 2010
  8. ^ a b Vaughn, Mark (24 August 2009). "Desert Shakedown". AutoWeek. 59 (17). Detroit, Michigan: Crain Communications Inc.: 27. ISSN 0192-9674.
  9. ^ "Rapide production cut back". Autocar. 16 June 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  10. ^ "First Drive: 2010 Aston Martin Rapide". MotorAuthority.com.
  11. ^ Migliore, Greg (4 February 2013). "Pushing the V12 Power". Autoweek. 63 (3): 7.
  12. ^ "Aston Martin Rapide S 2014 review". Auto Express. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  13. ^ Lambert, Fred (26 December 2016). "10 electric cars coming in the next 3 years : 10 – Aston Martin RapidE". Electrek. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  14. ^ Stoklosa, Alexander (22 October 2015). "RapidE: The Fully Electric Aston Martin Rapide Concept Takes Shape". Car and Driver. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  15. ^ "Aston Martin Rapide E: Aston's 600bhp EV emerges from shadows". CAR Magazine. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  16. ^ Fossdyke, James; Padeanu, Adrian (12 September 2018). "Aston Martin's 602-HP Electric Rapide E Will Arrive Next Year". Motor1. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  17. ^ Pattni, Vijay (13 June 2018). "This is the £195k Aston Martin Rapide AMR". Top Gear. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  18. ^ Rendell, Julian (16 June 2011). "Rapide production cut back". AutoCar.
  19. ^ Rusz, Joe (August 2010). "American Cars rule in European GT Racing". Road & Track. 61 (12): 107.
  20. ^ de Paula, Matthew. "Aston Martin Favors Hydrogen Over Hybrids, At Least For Now". Forbes. Forbes Publishing.
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