IL Track Tested: 2011 Aston Martin Rapide

470 Hp, priced over 200K and still can't keep up with a base Vette. The numbers on the car are laughable. Sorry excuse for a car.

Drive a Vette. Be Proud!

If only I could afford one. By the description, this is what the Panamera should have been - a beautiful 4 door car that has the feel of a 911.

Hopefully they'll depreciate faster than the DB9s so I can get a used one in a decade or two.

zr1man, you really have no idea what this car is, do you? It's not a sports car (all the Vettes are better sports cars than this), it's the top luxury sport sedan. No, it isn't as insanely fast as a Panamera Turbo, but it is much better looking, and it is an Aston. It has the cache few Porsches ever will.

Considering it seats 4 and has an equal number of doors, how does this compare to a Corvette?

Hahahah there is always someone talking crap until they drive one.

zr1man, what an embarrasment you are to 14 year olds everywhere. Somebody needs a Wii.

The Rapide is a stunningly beautiful work of automotive art that will inevitably go down as one of the most beautiful 4-door forms in history. Glad to see it can back those looks up with equally impressive performance.

Now for something off-topic, I have a funny story about the Rapide. A few months ago I was heading to a meeting in SF and was crossing from Highway 85 onto Interstate 280 (San Jose). As I was approaching the elevated causeway that crosses over 280 I noticed in my rear view mirror that beautiful green Rapide was flying up on my left (and I mean really booking it). This particular interchange is hardly a sharp corner, rather it is a decently banked sweeper that is drawn out for quite some time. I, myself, was in a hurry to get the meeting so was moving at a decent clip in the right line, but certainly not trying to race anyone. Either way, the Rapide comes barreling up beside me in the left lane just as the sweeper starts. I don't normally brake much for this corner (most people instinctively do) because it isn't necessary and its kind of fun not to, but he must have taken my action to be competitive. Well, he started to try to beat me through the corner (which I would have gladly let him do) by accelerating ahead and just about lost it. I mean he started to lose the rear, over-corrected, and almost hit the concrete guard. He ended up slamming on the brakes and almost coming to a complete stop. Meanwhile, I just effortlessly wafted by on the right. There are few times that an S-Class is going to beat a Rapide through corners. It just goes to show that just because you can afford a car, doesn't mean you can drive that car. :)

eh,... 4 door DB9. doesn't look as good as a DB9. which doesn't look as good as vantage to me. and all of them look dated. saw one in person and it looked alright, but still not right. looks like it's trying to fool you, "hey look at that... 4 door DB9? what?" if they're gonna make a sedan, make an actual sedan with some aston pedigree instead of stretching a sports/GT to fit a niche. to me that doesn't make a lasting impression. the car is too compromised to hold passengers in comfort for any lengthy amount of time. but i'm sure it's a good drive. but so is a DB9. they're both available with the same auto so you might as well get the better looking one.

what's ironic is that i can only see these selling to someone who already drives a DB9 quite regularly. and who is sick of having to switch cars when he needs to carry more than one passenger. i guess that is the actual mission of the vehicle, to provide the opportunity to drive an aston when you normally wouldn't. but to me that's likely to apply to someone who already has an aston. not someone who wants to get an aston.

aston you need something new and exciting quick. i've seen more panamera turbo's than these(you're a douche if you don't option up your panamera). and those are WAYYY(!) uglier.

LEDs. puke.

so all this car needs is launch controll aparently wich is a chame that they dont have one when mustangs are starting to get them now

zr1man, retarded as usual.

by the way, this is my dream car!

This comes across as a pure design play, which is beautiful, and would make any Porsche Panamera owner cry any time one is parked at the valet next to it.

Still, the color white does few cars justice, and this accommodating four door Brit is no exception. There is no doubt in my mind, that with a color like British Racing Green metallic, the curves of this beauty would be so much more accentuated. While the point of a four door should never be out and out speed, the zero to sixty certainly leaves something to be desired. I mean come on gang, while as you know i am no fan of the gas hog Chrysler 300 SRT, still, should I not expect my $200,000 four door beauty from England to easily beat the 40k American iron??? Not to mention many other premium cars like BMW seven and Mercedes S series.

Even though, it is still a beauty

A few of my thoughts: 1) All Aston Martins look the same. 2) All luxury four doors have basically the same shape (Panamara, Rapide, Quatroporte). 3) I'm never going to be able to afford one. 4) The Panamara still looks more special than this.

I have to say that I like this far more than the Porsche Panamera, and the Porsche does not offer V12 sound at ANY price. Yes $200K is a lot of money (more than my first house) for any car, but this car will be far more exclusive than the Porsche any day. Not to mention, the Aston is far sleeker.

ZR1man: Comparing this vehicle to a 'vette is not a valid comparison at all. Yes, a base vette will outrun it, but the two vehicles are not even competitors. If you are going to compare an Aston to a 'vette, compare it to the Vantage. Additionally, a 'vette weighs in at over 1000 pounds less, so a 0-60 time of just over 5 seconds (4.8 with rollout) is still pretty impressive for something weighing in at 4500 pounds. Could it be faster? Yes, and I am suspecting that the Aston has some electronic nannies that are holding it back and perhaps the powertrain is a bit short on low-end torque. Additionally, I would be willing to bet that the one sold overseas probably has launch control, which this one should, too (Nissan GT-R has it). ZR1, please do your homework before making such comments. 'Nuff said.

Gorgeous car, but kind of an underachiever.

Yes, the torque peaks at a high 5k rpm, but c'mon - this is a 5.9 liter engine hooked to an automatic that multiplies torque, with a pretty low first. It should get out of the hole a little better than that.

Forget comparisons to the Panamera Turbo - a Panamera S or 4S will handle this thing, performance-wise.

If you have to have the British mystique, I'd take a Jaguar XJ Supersport over this, too. And it's faster, too.

Very exclusive, beautiful...but for this much $$ the drivetrain is just not there.

One of he most beautiful car I have ever seen up close. Maybe it is not a vette, or a Porsche. But Damn if it not a piece of art.

Nice car, but I'd rather have a Panamera Turbo S for about $40k less.

@fuhteng:

Do yourself a favour and ignore zr1man. He is a troll of the worst order. To him, every car on the planet sucks because it isn't a 'Vette, and the 'Vette is the barometer by which all others shall be gauged (and deemed unworthy regardless of actual merit).

Panamera?... pshaw. This here is an Aston Martin. If you are blind, or can't afford the Rapide, then get the Porsche.

ZR1man has it all wrong. The old saying goes "Don't drive anything James Bond wouldn't". Yes a ZR1 is faster but alas....it is still "just a vette" with a bigger motor. Is the Rapid a world beater--no however, it has a refinement that you will NEVER get from a corvette. Simply put, the "Valet Cred" is off the charts were most other cars ar just cars....

This is the most beautiful 4 door car on the planet. PERIOD. I don't need to go that fast in this thing... just fast enough. You cruise 10 mph at North Park mall here in Dallas so you can be seen with the rest of the celebs with this car. I saw one at the airport last summer. Freaking breathtaking. It's hard to even tell it's a 4 door. The roof line is perfect. It looks like a long Vanquish or DB9. The Panamara and CTS-V is faster, but speed is not everything. I'm sure they will give it a boost in it's mid-year cycle. I know it was selling like krazy cause Kerry Rhodes from the Arizona Cardinals said there was a 18 month waiting list on it. I'm not sure if its still under that type of demand though.

This is the most beautiful 4 door car on the planet. PERIOD. I don't need to go that fast in this thing... just fast enough. You cruise 10 mph at North Park mall here in Dallas so you can be seen with the rest of the celebs with this car. I saw one at the airport last summer. Freaking breathtaking. It's hard to even tell it's a 4 door. The roof line is perfect. It looks like a long Vanquish or DB9. The Panamara and CTS-V is faster, but speed is not everything. I'm sure they will give it a boost in it's mid-year cycle. I know it was selling like krazy cause Kerry Rhodes from the Arizona Cardinals said there was a 18 month waiting list on it. I'm not sure if its still under that type of demand though.

Leave it to someone to compare this car to something it's not comparable too. Wow, some folks make me laugh.

That said, it's a BEAUTIFUL AUTOMOBILE....

ZR1man, Don't you mean Viper? You know, the car which destroyed the ZR1's record time at the Ring a few weeks ago? So, get to the blackboard and write 100 times, "When I mean fast, I mean Viper and not Vette." Oh, and then be a good boy and go outside and smack the erasers together until the chalk is all cleaned out. Remember, Viper not Vette.

ZR1Man,

The ZR1 isn't even the best overall Vette. The Z06 with the carbon package and magnetic suspension is.

Anyone who purchases this car is not only paying for a very high performance sedan but exclusivity. You are simply not going to see many of these around. You will see S-Classes, A8s, 750i, but there is a price for being unique. You simply have to judge for yourself what the price tag will be.

Personally, I love the car...but I love the new CLS63 even more. I can get a CLS63 and a GL350 for winter...

how often does someone go from 0-60 in under 5 seconds on public roads?
this car is all about style and exclusivity and its fast enough for 100% of daily driver conditions

i know it can be very polarizing when comparing the aston to the porsche. there are definite camps for both. the porsche shines in the area of performance. however, the interior reminds me of an airplane cockpit. which isn't a bad thing at all and it keeps with the motif (imo). however, it lacks the elegance of the aston. the rapide is beautiful, has great lines, and the paint on it i could only compare to porcelain. utterly flawless. the rapide's rear seats were very snug- after all, they were sport buckets. i guess if i were to sum it up:
- porsche = performance and practical luxury (for all passengers).
- aston = "look at me" beauty and front seat passenger-focused luxury

638 Hp, priced over 100K and still can't keep up with a VW Bug with plastic windows. The numbers on the car are laughable. Sorry excuse for a car.

Drive a Porsche. Be Proud!

You pay a huge penalty for v12 power and the Aston name.

I'd rather buy the Audi S7 next year.

Just as sexy looking and you'll have 100,000 plus left over.

zr1man-I still find it amazing that guys like you value a car simply based on the numbers it puts up on a track. Aside from the fact this is a 4dr luxury sport sedan and simply cannot be compared to a 2dr fiberglass sports car driving a car is simply a lot more then numbers. Vettes have excellent straight line acceleration but do not have the best ride or the best handling even if they put up great numbers. If a car is twitchy to handle at the limit and unpredictable it's numbers can be "Infinity" and it still would not be as enjoyable to drive then a car with lower but more predictable handling behavior. The Rapid has great talkative steering excellent handling and a great sounding V12 engine. That's more then enough for myself and most people.

Too much money. Buy a 470 hp Jaguar XJL for $88,000

ahightower says:

06:34 AM, 09/28/11

Panamera?... pshaw. This here is an Aston Martin. If you are blind, or can't afford the Rapide, then get the Porsche.

+1

Yea, and that big ol' house with the indoor pool is just too difficult to clean and not as comfortable as my 2-bedroom townhouse, plus you have to commute way away from the 'hood to go to work.

Rich people are sooooo stupid.

what a joke. The consumer is this league wll simply buy a proper Aston coupe and a proper Sedan that will actually seat 4 real life people.

good looking tho.

I love this car. I've spent some time oogling it up close and personal at the Aston Dealer near my home. WOWWeeee! You need see this up close to sense how awesome it is.

...I have only two things to say about this car, and both of thems is Dam!

zr1man, you make me sad. The Corvette is my favorite car, the reason I'm on this website in the first place, but that was just pure trolling. The Corvette's speed is what makes it so special and such a performance bargain, but I think what makes the Rapide special is it's good looks, V12 torque, and character that is unique to Aston Martin. And c'mon, sounds pretty good to say to the wife or girlfriend "Do you want to take the Aston tonight?"

So when did Aston Martin hire Gilles away from Chrysler? 'Cause that side profile looks alot like the 'original' Dodge Charger from a few years ago....

Panamera 4S is faster to 60, yes, but has a lower trap speed. Braking and slalom are about the same, grip is higher.

Panamera Turbo is a just a monster accelerating, no doubt.

In the end, Panamera offers somethings the Rapide can`t perfomance wise, but the Aston delivers other things the Porsche simply can`t deliver either.

Just take a pick.

I think Aston Martins are beautiful cars, and very lust worthy, but they are sorely lacking in the drivetrain department. I've been thinking since the days of the DB7 Vantage how it's possible that Aston Martin is only getting V8 power out of a V12. 470HP from 5.9 liters when Lamborghini is getting 700HP from 6.5 liters? And Ferrari is getting 562HP from 4.5 liters and a V8?

Aston should do a development of Jag's 5.0L V8 and do a clean sheet V12.

Gentlemen, to each his own.

The most important is that YOU buy whatever it is that YOU like and deem worth it.

A close friend of mine loves his ZDX even though he can afford other car.
He loves it even more than his S-Class.

His words? The way ZDX drives AND its funky looking (plus 'cheaper' and more reliable ;-).

So,
At the end, this is an Aston Martin.
If you can't afford it, please get something else you can (hence more Panamera on the road today).

If the Rapide is only $70-$90k, I would lose my interest as well.
Because there will be dozens of them on the road...

Gorgeous car. But yes, for 12 cylinders and 5.9L displacement, the power is disappointing. Time for a new 12 for Aston.

I don't know. It seems to me that there hasn't been a properly beautiful Aston since the Vanquish. To each his own, sure but I just don't think the Rapide is that good looking. Striking? Very. but not timeless like the Vanquish or an Alfa 8C.

Leave ZR1man alone. And for that matter, leave the Vette alone. There's nothing wrong with a Vette. I'm sure someone at some point has cross-shopped a Vette and an Aston and came away with a Vette.

Either way, a car at this price point should perform better and set itself apart for something other than the fact that it's an Aston.

I drove this car before purchasing the Panamera and to be honest did not really see its point. Sure it presses all the right buttons emotionally (sound, style, etc..) but in the end it is a compromise. The Rapide is built on an extended DB9 platform so in all reality the ride sucked, there was absolutely no rear legroom, and the extra 1000lbs over the DB9 completely put a damper on the performance. If you want an Aston get a DB9, its cheaper and no one will fit in the back of this car anyways and a + 5 second 0-60 time is completely unacceptable in what is marketed as a 4 door super car. The culprit is the lazy v12 that needs to be revved to really get moving since is short on low end torque and the 6 speed, torque converter automatic connected to it. It badly needs a duel clutch gearbox and imo a FI V8 so there is less weight over the front end.

To me the Panamera makes a much more logical choice as a performance sedan. Since it was designed as a full size sedan from the ground up, it actually functions very well as a people carrier; more functional than any true sedan because of the large hatch and fold flat rear seats, extreme comfort and luxury in every seating position (varies depending on options), and efficient performance with the PDK along with the most efficient line of engines in its class.

The biggest flaw for me with the Aston was that everything looked great on the surface but the quality and engineering behind it are no where near the same level as the Porsche.

Sounds heavenly, but I'd rather have a Panamera Turbo. This car is too slow for the price. Also, anyone *cough zr1man cough* comparing this to a Corvette is a moron.

Thanks for getting the audio right this time. It sounded great! Now I won't be able to wipe the smile off my face for the rest of the day.

Most rich people buy Aston for the name. And it does look good. But that 220k Rapide will be worth 140-150k in 2 years. The cost of ownership is very, very high.

The Panamera Turbo is a better buy for 150k. Really rich people might not care, but there's a huge price leap for the Aston name.

I'm not that impressed with a 225k Bentley, either, and think you're paying a lot for the name

But it's just play money for the super rich and they don't car. You're driving a v12 Aston and that's all that matters at the country club.

I've sat in several Astons and the interior is a bit low rent and leftover Jaguar for over 100k. I guess this one is better.

For $200K, I expect perfection. This isn't it.

One of my partners has one of these; he's allowed me to drive it hard enough to scare him a touch on occasion. The V12 is indeed lazy, though its handling is surprisingly good. The car is very long and very heavy. Its motor is probably just enough, given its size and weight, rather than over the top. I wouldn't consider the Rapide a great performer, but I'm not sure it matters either. The car is beautiful - stunningly beautiful - inside and out. IMO, it's the most beautiful execution of this silly 4-door coupe trend. I don't buy that a car of this price should necessarily put up spectacular numbers. Good numbers, yes. Great ones? Who's going to take this car to the track anyway? Quite possibly not one owner. So why does it matter? Bragging rights? I don't think the Rapide buyer cares much that he'll lose to the Panamera Turbo at the drag strip.

roscoe108 - check. Thanks mate.

I love the car's looks, but WHY IS IT WHITE? It isn't an appliance, so make it a real color! Even silver would be better on this.

I'd rather have a Panamera Turbo than this - heck, I'd rather have a Panamera 4S.

If I'm blowing $200k+ on a car it's not going to be on a (relatively) underperforming sedan.

Oh and as I can can attest, drive a Panamera in anger on a track and you'll want one, irregardless of what you think about it's looks. DAMN it's good.

"638 Hp, priced over 100K and still can't keep up with a VW Bug with plastic windows. The numbers on the car are laughable. Sorry excuse for a car.

Drive a Porsche. Be Proud!
"

Counter-troll of the Year Award!

@zr1man,

yeah a big four-seater saloon can't keep up with a dedicated, 2-seater, sports car. Shocking.

Who are these clowns who are comparing a $40K Chevy to a $200K ultra luxury sports sedan?

Why does the Aston Martin Rapide cost $200K? Because it is built to a standard. The interior materials, build quality etc. all come together to equate a high price tag. Add to that some brand prestige pricing (because they can) and there you go, $200K.

The Corvette? It's built to a price. Cheap interior, feels flimsy all around and so forth. In terms of bang for the buck, the Corvette can't be beat.

And who cares if the Corvette is faster than an Aston Martin Rapide. The Rapide performs amazingly well for what it is. Do you clowns really think Rapide owners want to race competitively with a Corvette on the track? Hell no. And if they did, they most likely have some other super exotic performance car in their garage that'll be far more capable. As I said before, when you buy a Rapide, you pay for the badge, the quality, the exclusivity etc. It has its price. Some people want it and are willing to pay for it, some won't.

Some people here are just truly moronic with their constant "For $200K I expect this to be faster than a $15K Civic DX Type R VTEC..." comments. Jesus Christ...

I vote zr1man needs to be banned from IL.
He's just a bad troll fanboy that makes everyone look bad.

He bashs everything else but Corvette saying "drive a vette, be proud"
or "drive American, be proud" .. that's downright retarded

@sturgl: This issue is not really about the Rapide losing to the Panamera Turbo at the drag strip (Aston's have never been the best performer in their respective class), it is that Aston has failed to build a good sedan. Anything you can say performance wise, styling, specialness, etc... is better on the Virage for the same price (2 door coupe vs. 4 door). The Rapide does not perform most functions expected of a luxury sedan well. Sure the driver and passenger are taken care off but so would they in any sporting luxury gt coupe. The back seats are torture chambers, it doesn't ride well, and the build quality/engineering are lacking. Once you drive it, it is apparent what it is which is a stretched DB9, that is a compromise by nature because it will never perform as well as the more sporting, lighter 2 door, yet its whole platform was never designed to be used for a full size 4 door luxury sedan. It's such a beautiful car and a shame that Aston is lacking the resources to put substance behind the design. If they could build a car with the engineering prowess of a Porsche or high end Benz while retaining their styling/emotional character, I believe that is when people will start considering it as a real competitor and worth the price difference over the Pany Turbo, but at the moment their buyers are a large minority.

Do Not Feed the Troll. If you ignore them they go away and IL will be a better place.

once again, stovt001's immense knowledge shines through.

seriously guys ignore him.

back on subject, i dig this thing, but if i had anywhere near enough to spend on this thing, i'd get a panamara.

@panamera4
Unfortunately I do not have the disposable income to really comment on any Rapide or Panamera experience so I will take your word for it. But from what I understand of both vehicles you are right. Based purely on aesthetic qualities I love the Rapide but the numbers & quality issues don't lie; the Panamera is definitely the better of the two cars

I mean, I do think the Panamera is ugly...but being able to smoke most cars within the price range with an audience comfortably seated behind you...that is pretty stinking awesome.

zr1man, you have been beaten up enough so I will not comment on your idiocy.
As for the car, it looks great and would be a dream to own. But I'd take a Charger SRT8 with the same amount of horsepower, more torque, more personality, for a quarter of the price.

It's an elegant car. I'd get one if I win the lottery, over any other $200k-plus car (if I can only get one).

Can't really understand the morons on this site comparing this car to a vette. The vette is a big v-8 and fiberglass, its for geniuses who still watch 2 guys garage, the rapide is the best looking sedan in the world, and highly exclusive. Is it overpriced? of course most luxury items are....

@jgcl2005: Yes, the Panamera definitely punches above its respective weight class. I don't know if you are familiar with the Top gear USA test of the Pany Turbo but it was faster than the V12 Vantage, SLS, and Gallardo Balboni around their test track.

As for looks, I love it, but that is a personal preference... I do believe that the car and more specifically the rear 3/4 panel, looks its best in dark colors which is why I got mine in black.

@ZR1man, Hey how about that big Vette recall? If a luxury grand trouring sedan was supposed to compete in the same class as the Corvette than I would say it is a bit over priced. To compete then would mean it would have to offer much cheaper rubbery and plasticky interior bits, outdated engine technology, and seats that most people complain about.