2012 Aston Martin Rapide

When Aston Martin decided to make a four door, in tribute to the Lagonda Rapide of the Sixties, they poured their heart and soul into it. The result is a car that, if you don’t notice the rear doors, might lead you into thinking it’s a slightly elongated two-door GT. Built from 2010 to 2020, the Rapide is based on the DB9, and shares many of its features, including that awesome V12 engine. This 2012 Aston Martin Rapide has done just 27,100 miles on its journey to our hands, and the seller reports that the car was fully dealer inspected before purchase. If you’re on the lookout for a fast four seater, this car is a great option that sways away from the mainstream offerings.

Exterior and Interior

The Rapide’s design was led by Mark Reichman, and was basically done by taking a DB9’s design and stretching it to accommodate two extra doors. However, this isn’t as straightforward as it sounds because the proportions would quickly start to look wrong. So, let’s raise a glass to the team who have pulled it off, with this 2012 Aston Martin Rapide in its Black Maroon paintjob as testimony. They’ve done it so well, that you might miss the shutlines of the rear doors from certain angles. Few cars can pull off clear-lensed tail lamps too, and the Rapide is one of them. Rolling on 20-inch multispoke alloys, the yellow brake calipers peeking out from behind hint at its performance potential, if the rather substantial exhausts at the rear don’t do it. Up front, that gaping grill isn’t just for show, but to cool the significant engine that lies just behind it. This is further enhanced by the S-kit front bumper. The interior features Sandstone and Obsidian Black spec, and this is reportedly a Luxury trim-equipped car. As a strict four-seater, you’ve got four heated and ventilated individual bucket seats, electrically adjustable front seats, climate control with vents for rear passengers as well, and an infotainment system with a motorized screen that pops out of the dash when required. The transmission buttons live on the center console, and the signature Aston Martin gauge cluster with anticlockwise-sweeping tachometer greets the driver. There’s also the rear entertainment package, and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Paddle shifters live behind the steering wheel for manual gear selection at will, and there’s cruise control for relaxed driving.

Engine

Aston Martin have a fantastic V12 in the shape of their 6.0L unit that saw service in the DB9, and this 2012 Aston Martin Rapide is blessed with the same powerplant. It sings a beautiful song as the revs rise, and puts out 470hp and 443lb-ft to the rear wheels via a 6-speed ZF Touchtronic II automatic transmission. Zero to hundred is a low-five-second affair, but how many four-door, four-seat passenger cars do you know of that can hit 188mph flat out?