Motoring Middle East: Car news, Reviews and Buying guides

Have they ruined the Rapide?
By Imthishan Giado

Honestly, we’re shocked Aston even invited us to the launch of the new Rapide S at its swanky showroom at Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard in Downtown Dubai. After all, Shahzad did write the world’s least complimentary review of their flagship Vanquish. We thought we were persona non grata  for sure – but nevertheless, a little invitation popped into our inboxes anyway.

As most of you are no doubt aware, the Rapide is Aston’s entry into the rather exclusive four-door supersaloon category, rarefied air enjoyed by the likes of the Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte, a class that exists when a run-of-the-mill S-Class just won’t do. The S is more than just a case of adding a letter to the end of the name – Rapide S features a worked-over version of Aston’s evergreen (some might say long-in-the-tooth) 6.0-litre V12. In this application, it makes 550bhp and 457lb/ft of torque – respectively 80bhp and 14lb/ft more than the old car. It’s enough to see the Rapide hit 100kph in a claimed 4.7 seconds. Quick enough, but a Panamera Turbo would utterly demolish it in a straight line.

Ah, but the Panamera is nowhere near as pretty. The Rapide has always been the most gorgeous four-door on the planet, a stunning collection of sinewy curves, chiselled features and shockingly sexy haunches. So of course, they’ve gone and spoiled it by fitting the grille from an Aristo oven on the front. Seriously, Aston: why you did it make so big? It’s like pumping collagen and botox at 25psi into Amber Heard’s lips – no one asked for it, and no one appreciates the result either.

For those who are curious, Aston’s big-mawed beauty is available immediately at a price of AED 895,500. No doubt it’ll sell; that badge and the omnipresent James Bond connection mean something to local buyers because the Dubai dealership, according to General Manager Tim Trenker is the most successful in the entire world. Take that, bad reviews!