Model tested: Aston Martin Rapide V12 Coupe
Price: £139,950
Date tested: April 2010
Road tester: Adam Towler

Aston Martin labels the Rapide a 'four-door sports car'; in concept and execution they're not far wrong. Despite its physical presence - some five metres long and nearly two tonnes - the Rapide isn't a limousine in the traditional sense.

If the styling of the Rapide is closely related to that of the DB9 coupe, much of the mechanicals under the skin are also shared. The car is built upon Aston's 'VH' aluminium chassis (some 250mm longer in wheelbase than in the DB9), and uses the same 5.9 litre V12 engine and 6-speed automatic gearbox.

The biggest difference however is in the rear of the passenger compartment, where you'll now find two individual bucket type seats separated by a high-set spar that contains the heating and ventilation controls.

It's a cosy ambience back there, partly because of the soft leathers and sumptuous interior design, but also because it's nowhere near as spacious as a Porsche Panamera, let alone something like an Audi A8. Still, unless passengers are particularly tall there's enough room, and even those over six foot should be fine for shorter journeys.

The boot is usefully wide but quite shallow, but it's the driver's seat that's of most interest, because the Rapide feels every inch the super coupe that its DB9 relative does. Aston Martin really knows how to give its interiors a sense of occasion, and save the disappointingly old sat-nav plus a few fiddly items of switchgear, the Rapide really seduces its occupants.

---

---

In fact, this new car feels particularly well built, and it's soon clear that changes inside are part of a wider programme of engineering improvements that have really elevated the quality and ability of this Aston Martin.

When you first drive off in the Rapide you notice the steering is a bit lighter than the Aston Martin norm, but it's no less accurate or enjoyable for that. The car rides the bumps well for such a powerful, sporting car, and the refinement levels of wind and road noise are nicely subdued.

Even at motorway speeds the Rapide is a relaxing car to be in, the engine hushed behind the sound of the B&O music system.

It manages to feel sporty and yet relaxing at the same time - a canny trick, and one that works whether you are sitting in the front or the back.

And yet the Rapide has another side to its personality: one that can be accessed simply by pressing firmly on the right-most pedal and pressing the 'Sport' button. Suddenly the big V12 sends a sharp bark into the cabin, and 469bhp propels the Rapide forward at a roaring pace.

Flat out it's properly fast - 0-60mph takes five seconds dead and it'll reach 184mph - although there are certainly super saloon rivals that will show it a clean pair of heels. In truth, the Aston dances to its own tune, and its blend of speed, sound effects and atmosphere never leave you feeling shortchanged.