For me the best all around car ever built. I have the non S model which I sought after specifically. It’s my second aston after a 07 Vantage roadster. This is more of a GT car which suits me and it has been ultra reliable. Too bad it wasn’t successful but that made it a financial win for me. I enjoyed the review 👍🏻
Fabulous, fluent commentary. No faff, no humor just the facts and observations. It is a great Aston. I too had a test drive recently and was surprised by its ability to be a Jekyll and Hyde car. The rear window I found more of a problem than you did for the reasons you outlined. Great review. Thanks.
I had a DB9 3-4 years ago, and I absolutely loved it. Having sold it to fund a house move, I'm now getting ready to go hunting for a Rapide S. A 2017-18 one will do me fine, though I do anticipate problems finding one that is NOT either grey or silver, black or white. Most Aston new car buyers appear to have such limited imagination when speccing their cars, and it's frankly a bit sad that the used market has very few exciting colours on offer! But, as I can't afford a new one, I'll just have to bide my time until the right one comes along. I do hope it doesn't take too long as getting to this point will see me turn 64 next month! Then there'll be NO stopping me!!
Great review but - as an owner of a Rapide S - I would say there is no question there is enough space in the back and the boot is unbelievable for the type of car. I think there is a missing of the point of many reviewers of what this car is - and is not. It is most definitely a supercar as you mention - a 4 door GT supercar. It does not claim to be an estate or hatchback so let's be clear. There is no car in this class with as much boot space and rear space and I do not place the Panamera or the Quattroporte in the same "car class" as this. And this is why it didn't sell so well (thankfully!) as it was completely miss understood. When I look at cars I imagine the use and at what stage of life you would own it. I have had many Maserati's, Porsche's and M series BMW's but none of them are in the same car space BUT all served a purpose. For example, my Boxster S was a great car for central London and weekends with the girlfriend. My Mazza Ghibli was great for when I had small baby children and as an "every day" car, my Cayenne Turbo S and the Mazza Levante Grandsport insane options as our children needed more space and the family needed a sensible everyday car - whilst I also wanted great looks and performance. The Rapide also has a purpose. But it is NOT a daily use car. It could be of course but this is not what it really is. It is actually a phenomenal weekend car or "holiday tourer" that you can take your partner and children (up to perhaps 12 years old) away for a few hours to a nice place for lunch or a weekend away or further if required. Then as your children age you can perhaps use the car with your partner or a friend to tour Europe and fold down the back seats to create a massive amount of space for luggage. Even with the rear seats not folded down I can fold down the insert boot divider panel and pack enough for myself, wife and two children for a weekend away - so the idea the car does not have a big enough boot is simply not true and when I see reviews saying this it is clear the reviewers have never lived with the car - and of course that's understandable as just reviewing. The back seats - yes - I concur if you have two friends /adults who are six foot tall then, other than a quick dash to the pub to give them a lift, (and as the driver pushed forward more than ideally) it would not be advisable to use this car regularly for that - but there is my key point. It was never designed to be a car for four adults! It was designed to be car for successful executives or perhaps sports stars / actors / movie producers etc who have a couple of kids (hence the majority of these having the rear seat entertainment packs) and who use this for those years until the kids reach later teen years. Then the car would be kept as a classic or weekend car - or would be upgraded. The problem is now people are reviewing the car based on its availability to a wider audience - now the price is cheaper and comparing it to a Panamera!?! I mean seriously. This is the main error. This was a £150K+ Supercar not a mass produced German sales managers car. The car should be reviewed for what it really is and also purchased for what it can provide and not what it cannot. If you want a car for four adults to tour the mountain areas of Scotland for 6 weeks and hours and hours of driving time then don't buy this but does anyone - ever - go out and buy a car for four adults?!? Unless you are in a commune or taking colleagues to a building site for example? In that case buy a VW Amarok! The car is not that and never was designed to be and thankfully it means it was misunderstood, sold less and will be a future V12 classic for sure. It also means you can get one instead of paying £150-180K (original list) now for 50-60K - winner! Buy this car if you are either single, cohabiting and/or have a couple of kids and want supercar looks and performance and to own a brilliant and stunning AM at a very good price. Saying that maintaining the car is not cheap! So be prepared for bills.......
Got one had it from new ride is perfect , I've had sport cats fitted and remap 600 hp around town it's ace to drive the wife drives it to she loves it only things I don't like sun visor , rea tail gate needs strapp so you can pull it down we don't use it enough but it there to look at sexy thing
The car plays in a totally different league compared the 4 Porte or the ugly duckling Porsche Panamera. At least the Maserati gives you emotions as well but not on that leve as this Aston. The Aston is built as solid as a tank. The huge sills and the way the doors open... the frameless side windows and the absense of wind noise.... The used materials and the attention to detail make it so much different and by far more individual especially compared to the mass production and low emotion Panamera. The V12 engine is highly emotional and it is very quick. The sound is breathtaking. In S mode it stretches it´s muscles. Reasonable driving on long distances make you wonder that there is a 6.0 V12 under the bonnet. The latest "S" models have the ZF 8 speed auto box which is simply superb. Ultra smooth in automatic mode. At 100mph it only revs at about 1.800rpm!!! The Bang & Olufsen sound system plays in it´s own world. By far the best sound system I ever had in a car. This system should be fitted to all cars with shitty sounding engines (more than 95% nowadays!). In a V12 Aston you never can decide wether to listen to the engine sound or the music.... one of these luxury problems...
I have been heavily debating this as a sunny weather daily driver. How can you complain with a supercar that behaves well off the track. I worry whether I'd drive it though - not sure I would be able to justify adding 1,000s of miles on a beautiful collectible that Im certain this will become in the near future
With the limited numbers built (even by AM standards) doubtless it will. Ironically much like the Lagonda has over the years. For now they are shockingly attainable given that its got to be the most beautiful modern four door car
Thank you for this sensible review. I’m currently stuck between a 2 seater like a jag F type v8.. or allow the missus and little one to join in the fun and go for back seats with one of these or the panamera. Very silly but genuine question - would one of these fit an average modern day pushchair in the boot? I can’t believe I’m even asking this… it’s the first thing my missus said. I just want my 40th mid life crisis purchase and get away with it ok? Lol
I obviously haven't attempted it personally, but depending on how foldable the pram is it probably could fit. I've covered a couple of F-Types too, the V6 and V8. Good bits of kit for sure, but the Rapide is definitely on another level for feel and presence. Not as chuckable through corners in comparison obviously but that's about it. The Panamera is also phenomenal, the first gen GTS is the single most impressive all round car I've ever driven. The biggest advantages being the boot space, interior room and 4WD. Downside being that they don't look as special.
![ASTON MARTIN Rapide V12 REVIEW on AUTOBAHN [NO SPEED LIMIT] by AutoTopNL](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ts152ZMbnk8/mqdefault.jpg)
Owned a DB9 for 6 years, loved it, but sold it and got a Rapide, love it more.
Me drooling over the entire 16 minutes and 19 seconds 🥵
Easily one of my favourite cars I've ever driven. Dream car material for sure, albeit in the base 470 bhp form for me...
For me the best all around car ever built. I have the non S model which I sought after specifically. It’s my second aston after a 07 Vantage roadster. This is more of a GT car which suits me and it has been ultra reliable. Too bad it wasn’t successful but that made it a financial win for me. I enjoyed the review 👍🏻
My favourite version of it also, glad to hear that it also lives up to the excellent design!
Fabulous, fluent commentary. No faff, no humor just the facts and observations. It is a great Aston. I too had a test drive recently and was surprised by its ability to be a Jekyll and Hyde car. The rear window I found more of a problem than you did for the reasons you outlined. Great review. Thanks.
I had a DB9 3-4 years ago, and I absolutely loved it. Having sold it to fund a house move, I'm now getting ready to go hunting for a Rapide S. A 2017-18 one will do me fine, though I do anticipate problems finding one that is NOT either grey or silver, black or white. Most Aston new car buyers appear to have such limited imagination when speccing their cars, and it's frankly a bit sad that the used market has very few exciting colours on offer!
But, as I can't afford a new one, I'll just have to bide my time until the right one comes along. I do hope it doesn't take too long as getting to this point will see me turn 64 next month! Then there'll be NO stopping me!!
I agree of all 3 reviewed on TG. This was definitely the subjective and emotional and visual best choice bar none.
Excellent narrative. I owned a 2010 Rapide. It was the most fun and versatile car I had ever owned.
Cheers! Epic machine for sure
Would buy one in a heartbeat!
Incredible review . This channel should have many, many more subscribers. 👍👏
Great review but - as an owner of a Rapide S - I would say there is no question there is enough space in the back and the boot is unbelievable for the type of car. I think there is a missing of the point of many reviewers of what this car is - and is not. It is most definitely a supercar as you mention - a 4 door GT supercar. It does not claim to be an estate or hatchback so let's be clear. There is no car in this class with as much boot space and rear space and I do not place the Panamera or the Quattroporte in the same "car class" as this. And this is why it didn't sell so well (thankfully!) as it was completely miss understood. When I look at cars I imagine the use and at what stage of life you would own it. I have had many Maserati's, Porsche's and M series BMW's but none of them are in the same car space BUT all served a purpose. For example, my Boxster S was a great car for central London and weekends with the girlfriend. My Mazza Ghibli was great for when I had small baby children and as an "every day" car, my Cayenne Turbo S and the Mazza Levante Grandsport insane options as our children needed more space and the family needed a sensible everyday car - whilst I also wanted great looks and performance. The Rapide also has a purpose. But it is NOT a daily use car. It could be of course but this is not what it really is. It is actually a phenomenal weekend car or "holiday tourer" that you can take your partner and children (up to perhaps 12 years old) away for a few hours to a nice place for lunch or a weekend away or further if required. Then as your children age you can perhaps use the car with your partner or a friend to tour Europe and fold down the back seats to create a massive amount of space for luggage. Even with the rear seats not folded down I can fold down the insert boot divider panel and pack enough for myself, wife and two children for a weekend away - so the idea the car does not have a big enough boot is simply not true and when I see reviews saying this it is clear the reviewers have never lived with the car - and of course that's understandable as just reviewing. The back seats - yes - I concur if you have two friends /adults who are six foot tall then, other than a quick dash to the pub to give them a lift, (and as the driver pushed forward more than ideally) it would not be advisable to use this car regularly for that - but there is my key point. It was never designed to be a car for four adults! It was designed to be car for successful executives or perhaps sports stars / actors / movie producers etc who have a couple of kids (hence the majority of these having the rear seat entertainment packs) and who use this for those years until the kids reach later teen years. Then the car would be kept as a classic or weekend car - or would be upgraded. The problem is now people are reviewing the car based on its availability to a wider audience - now the price is cheaper and comparing it to a Panamera!?! I mean seriously. This is the main error. This was a £150K+ Supercar not a mass produced German sales managers car. The car should be reviewed for what it really is and also purchased for what it can provide and not what it cannot. If you want a car for four adults to tour the mountain areas of Scotland for 6 weeks and hours and hours of driving time then don't buy this but does anyone - ever - go out and buy a car for four adults?!? Unless you are in a commune or taking colleagues to a building site for example? In that case buy a VW Amarok! The car is not that and never was designed to be and thankfully it means it was misunderstood, sold less and will be a future V12 classic for sure. It also means you can get one instead of paying £150-180K (original list) now for 50-60K - winner! Buy this car if you are either single, cohabiting and/or have a couple of kids and want supercar looks and performance and to own a brilliant and stunning AM at a very good price. Saying that maintaining the car is not cheap! So be prepared for bills.......
I always figured the rear doors and seats were for my suit jacket and briefcase ❤
Great review, thank you. I've just put a deposit down on a 2013 Rapide S, trading up from a Jag XKR as the kids don't fit in the back of that anymore!
Nice one, I've always thought its a shame Jag didn't do some kind of Rapide-esque four door fastback version of the XK. Enjoy!
Got one had it from new ride is perfect , I've had sport cats fitted and remap 600 hp around town it's ace to drive the wife drives it to she loves it only things I don't like sun visor , rea tail gate needs strapp so you can pull it down we don't use it enough but it there to look at sexy thing
Hands up who wants to see a new, modern rapide!:)
Great review mate, that is my next car I love it just the model from 2015
The car plays in a totally different league compared the 4 Porte or the ugly duckling Porsche Panamera. At least the Maserati gives you emotions as well but not on that leve as this Aston. The Aston is built as solid as a tank. The huge sills and the way the doors open... the frameless side windows and the absense of wind noise.... The used materials and the attention to detail make it so much different and by far more individual especially compared to the mass production and low emotion Panamera.
The V12 engine is highly emotional and it is very quick. The sound is breathtaking. In S mode it stretches it´s muscles. Reasonable driving on long distances make you wonder that there is a 6.0 V12 under the bonnet. The latest "S" models have the ZF 8 speed auto box which is simply superb. Ultra smooth in automatic mode. At 100mph it only revs at about 1.800rpm!!!
The Bang & Olufsen sound system plays in it´s own world. By far the best sound system I ever had in a car. This system should be fitted to all cars with shitty sounding engines (more than 95% nowadays!). In a V12 Aston you never can decide wether to listen to the engine sound or the music.... one of these luxury problems...
I have been heavily debating this as a sunny weather daily driver. How can you complain with a supercar that behaves well off the track. I worry whether I'd drive it though - not sure I would be able to justify adding 1,000s of miles on a beautiful collectible that Im certain this will become in the near future
With the limited numbers built (even by AM standards) doubtless it will. Ironically much like the Lagonda has over the years. For now they are shockingly attainable given that its got to be the most beautiful modern four door car
Not sure about these 4dr GT cars but I did want a Quattroporte for a while so shows how fickle I can be.
Not a bad idea, I'm on my third QP lol. People are terrified of Maserati ownership, but that just makes them a bargain
@@beardsncars I plumped for the hopefully slightly less ruinous route of a 5.0 XK. Love the ability to waft when I want too. Old before my time.
Thank you for this sensible review. I’m currently stuck between a 2 seater like a jag F type v8.. or allow the missus and little one to join in the fun and go for back seats with one of these or the panamera. Very silly but genuine question - would one of these fit an average modern day pushchair in the boot? I can’t believe I’m even asking this… it’s the first thing my missus said. I just want my 40th mid life crisis purchase and get away with it ok? Lol
I obviously haven't attempted it personally, but depending on how foldable the pram is it probably could fit. I've covered a couple of F-Types too, the V6 and V8. Good bits of kit for sure, but the Rapide is definitely on another level for feel and presence. Not as chuckable through corners in comparison obviously but that's about it.
The Panamera is also phenomenal, the first gen GTS is the single most impressive all round car I've ever driven. The biggest advantages being the boot space, interior room and 4WD. Downside being that they don't look as special.
I love it ❤.
I love AM but my friend u r wrong here sexiest is Maserati Quatraportte
I've had 3 Quattroporte's, the Rapide is sexier, lol
The ORIGINAL Jaguar XJ, wether in Series 1, 2 or 3, saloon or coupe form is a FAR better looking car than this.