Aston Martin Rapide S
The Aston Martin Rapide is a car that straddles several genres. Back when the car was originally conceived, as the 2006 Rapide Concept, the idea of a big, expensive four-door sports saloon drawing on outstanding design pedigree seemed like a no-brainer, but the reality was slightly different. Aston have always been renowned for their sporting GTs - with more emphasis on sport than touring - but the Rapide didn't seem to fit into the established narrative. So despite the car's undeniable charms, it fell between two stools, not appealing to brand cognoscenti and usurped in practicality by rivals from Porsche and Bentley.
To their credit, the company has stuck to its guns, and the new Rapide S goes straight for the car's core characteristics, upping the power, dynamism and sporting ability. Aston knows full well that it occupies a niche, and that its core customers are cognoscenti who revel in the company's occasional eccentricities and confusions. For new markets, however, the lines are more rigorously drawn, so Aston - like all its competitors - has to play along by the established rules. Hence the Rapide's appeal in massive new markets like China, where four doors are obligatory (although there are signs this market is slowly getting over its obsession with being chauffered).
The back seats of the Rapide haven't changed much in the new 'S' model - they're still luxuriously appointed, if a little bit snug. It's a shame the glass roof of the original concept never made it into production, as it would make this already lush interior a captivating place to be. We suspect that the engineering challenge is just too great, however, for the Rapide S goes, stops and turns as well as any car in its class, all the while sounding magnificent. Its handling belies its size and the bump in horsepower over the original Rapide makes it even more of a performer.
Now that Aston Martin have declared themselves adherents of evolution, not revolution, it'll be interesting to see what happens next for the company's perennial core models - the closely related DB9 and the Rapide. For now, it's sufficient to say that they have evolved into hugely attractive, capable cars, personal transport for those not obsessing over the best new thing.
Novelty has its place in car design, but AM are defiantly - almost obstinately - pushing the other direction, relying on the undeniable charms of its styling. Yes, the interior - and in particular the ergonomics - appear idiosyncratic if not downright flawed to the uninitiated. It's a V12, which means that no amount of aluminium and carbon fibre can slash hefty fuel bills and emissions. Nonetheless, ongoing engineering tweaking mean even these figures are being improved, year on year. The Rapide S remains an emotional choice, if not an entirely rational one, but trust your heart, not your head and you'll have no regrets.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
-
Lito’s ‘Paris 1925’ jewellery collection lightens strict art-deco codes with a shimmer of sensuality
Athens designer Lito Karakostanoglou adds a modern dimension with dancing chainmail earrings, tactile gold layers and an all-round deft touch
By Caragh McKay Published
-
Introducing Flora Danica, a new Danish perfume house bottling the philosophy of hygge
Flora Danica is a newly launched fragrance house rooted in Danish culture both past and present
By India Birgitta Jarvis Published
-
The future of Salone del Mobile: new report quantifies impact of the world's biggest furniture fair
For the first time, Salone del Mobile reports on its size and impact. ‘Milan Design (Eco) System’ puts Salone into numbers, allowing its future and challenges to be addressed
By Cristina Kiran Piotti Published
-
Aston Martin bring the Midas touch to their super tourer with the DB12 Goldfinger Edition
Released in honour of the sixtieth anniversary of the iconic James Bond film, Aston Martin has gone all out to the DB12 Goldfinger Edition a worthy collector’s item for high rolling film fans
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
The new V12-powered Aston Martin Vanquish arrives to conquer the world of luxury GT cars
The luxury British marque’s new Vanquish flagship is absolutely, positively, definitely, its final flirtation with V12 power. Or is it?
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Could a car be any more muscular? Aston Martin unleashes the bold and brutalist Valiant
Equipped with a V12 engine, manual gearbox and chiselled bodywork, the limited-edition Aston Martin Valiant is the company’s most extreme front-engined road car to date
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Aston Martin Vantage review: we take the wheel to find out if it makes the supercar grade
The new Aston Martin Vantage is an upgrade on every conceivable metric, resulting in a machine with more power, luxury and dynamic ability than ever before
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Aston Martin DBX707 SUV is updated with a new interior and infotainment
The new Aston Martin DBX707 has better tech, better design but the same raw power, keeping its spot at the top of the ultra-SUV tree
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
New Aston Martin Ginza showroom brings customer personalisation to life
Aston Martin Ginza showroom is a two-storey space in The Peninsula Tokyo hotel and a new hub for the car maker
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Aston Martin Vantage is reshaped and revitalised for a new generation
The Aston Martin Vantage is a sports car with an authentic racing heritage, now upgraded and enhanced with new styling and fresh interiors
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Year in review: the top 10 cars of 2023, as selected by Wallpaper’s Jonathan Bell
What were the best four-wheeled offerings of 2023? Transport editor Jonathan Bell takes us through the year’s most intriguing automobiles
By Jonathan Bell Published