Cars on show: Rapide S, Centenary Special Editions
Aston Martin is celebrating its centenary in style at the 83rd Geneva Motorshow, packing its stand with new metal and special editions.
New Aston Martin Rapide S (main image)
Key to the party is the new Rapide S, turning itself into the most powerful four-door Aston to date. The 6.0-llitre V12 has had its power boosted by 17 per cent, taking the total to 550bhp at 6,750rpm. Torque has recieved a boost as well, rising 20Nm to 620Nm from 5,500rpm, helping it reduce the 0-60mph time from 5.2 to 4.9 seconds. Given a long enough stretch of tarmac the Rapide S can now reach over 190mph too.
There’s a new Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and the latest Gen4 iteration of the firm’s hi-tech adaptive damping, and three different driving settings incorporating Normal, Sport and Track modes. By far the most obvious change with the S is the styling though, the rear gaining a more prominent bootlid lip spoiler and the front a full face grille – though the latter does leave us questioning where the numberplate goes?
Centenary Special Editions
There’s a new Vanquish on the stand at Geneva, but the Centenary treatment will be applied to the Vantage, DB9 and Rapide S as well – though each are strictly limited to 100 examples worldwide. All feature a graduated paint finish, silver wing badges and deep black leather with silver stitching – previously seen on the One-77. And the firm will include a box of centenary presents with each car, including Bang & Olufsen headphones, solid silver cufflinks and a polishing cloth specifically designed to keep the silver wing badges shining bright.
Q by Aston Martin
Normally a paragon of taste, Aston Martin’s Q program allows customers to experiment one step further than normal. Going by the Morning Frost Metallic White Vanquish and its Spectral Blue interior on the stand we’d suggest the customer isn’t always right – though it does showcase just how far you can push it, blue diamond turned alloy wheels and all.
