Aston Martin bumps up Rapide’s power
Aston Martin revealed a new performance-spec AMR trim of its Rapide sedan early in June, a version of the four-door that sees a huge output boost to 580 horsepower from 552, as well as a host of other upgrades.
Aston Martin announced the Rapide AMR more than a year ago, but is only now putting the car on sale as one of its last send-offs to the model, which ends production in 2020. The Rapide AMR sees the power bump in its 6.0-litre V12 courtesy of new engine calibration and better air flow. Zero to 100 km/ h still takes 4.4 seconds, but top speed is now slightly higher, at 330 km/ h.
The eight-speed gearbox now turns the largest wheels ever fitted to an Aston: 21-inch units wrapped in new Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber. Brakes and brake cooling get upgraded, and the car is 10 millimetres lower than a Rapide S.
There’s a new Zagato-inspired grille, and carbon-fibre diffuser and spoiler pieces to reduce lift. The paint comes in three different schemes and the interior gets an optional One-77 steering wheel.
Aston Martin will be building just 210 Rapide AMRs, and while Canadian pricing hasn’t been announced, in the U.S. it will sell for about US$240,000, a premium of US$34,000 over the Rapide S.
The car will likely be one of the last special editions of the sedan before it is retired less than two years from now and replaced by the new DBX crossover.