Aston Martin Rapide S revealed

Four-door Aston Martin Rapide is given a significant mid-life makeover that includes an 80bhp power boost

The Aston Martin Rapide has received a considerable power hike as part of a comprehensive mid-life refresh for the four-door saloon.

The extra power is reflected in the Rapide’s new name - it’s now known as the Rapide S - and means that the emphasis is now fully on making it a four-door sports car rather than a more luxurious, everyday GT.

The biggest changes for the Rapide S are to its naturally aspirated 5.9-litre V12 engine. Power is up by 80bhp to 550bhp and peak torque jumps by 2kgm to 63.2kgm. Low and mid-range torque is said to have been improved considerably more than the headline peak figure suggests.

The extra power means that the claimed 0-100kph time for the Rapide S is 4.9sec, which is 0.3sec quicker than the outgoing Rapide, and top speed is up from 302kph to 305kph.

Exterior styling changes are minimal, the most recognisable differences being a new front grille and a rear lip spoiler. A Carbon Exterior Pack can be specified, which means that the front splitter, rear diffuser, exterior mirror housings and rear lamp infills are made from carbonfibre.

Minor interior tweaks include a new piano black trim and optional ‘Duotone’ red and black leather upholstery. The rear seats can be folded flat to almost treble the load volume to just shy of 900 litres.

Like the rest of Aston’s range, the Rapide S is based on its familiar VH structure. This gets the latest ‘Gen4’ modifications, including updated adaptive dampers with three distinct modes (Normal, Sport and Track), revisions to its DSC system and adjustments to meet the latest safety regulations. The engine is also mounted 19mm lower than before.

Expect Aston Martin to unveil the Rapide S in India later this year. 

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Aston Martin in potential AMG tie-up

Recent investment could bring about shared technology with Mercedes performance arm AMG.

Future Aston Martins could receive Mercedes-Benz AMG engines, gearboxes and electric architectures following the British sports car maker’s cash injection from a private equity firm linked to the German giant.

Investindustrial, an Italian equity firm that recently sold Ducati to Audi, has paid £150m (Rs 1,308.23 crore) for a 37.5 per cent stake in Aston. It will work alongside majority shareholder Investment Dar and minority shareholders including Aston CEO Ulrich Bez and Aston chairman David Richards. The deal cements Aston’s existing product development programme for the next five years.

Investindustrial entered into a partnership with Mercedes and AMG when it owned Ducati. There is no confirmation of Mercedes being involved in the Aston deal, but sources have confirmed the ties between Investindustrial and Mercedes have been retained.

A senior Mercedes source said on Investindustrial, “We know these guys. They were behind Ducati and we had a very closely knit marketing deal with them. They rang and asked if they won the bid for Aston, would we be interested in being a technology partner.”

Among the components Aston Martin is rumoured to be seeking from AMG is a new V12 petrol engine to replace the ageing Ford-developed unit it currently uses. However, the proposed collaboration between AMG and Investindustrial appears to encompass a much wider brief.

“There is significant scope,” said the source. “It would be more than just drivelines. If you look at Aston products today, it is clear that they need not only new drivelines with increased performance and improved emissions but also electronic architectures.”

AMG-produced engines include a twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12 and a twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8, while a turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 is said to be in development. AMG has also engineered a unique version of Mercedes’ seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox for its own models.

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Investindustrial buys stake in Aston Martin

Investindustrial signs Rs 1,308 crore deal for a 37.5 percent stake in Aston Martin.

Italian private equity fund Investindustrial has signed a deal to invest £150m ( Rs 1,308.23 crore) for a 37.5 percent stake in the British sports car company. As part of the announcement, the new-shape company will invest £500m (Rs 4,360.77 crore) in new product development over the next five years.

Mahindra & Mahindra was previously thought to be the favourites in the deal, offering a significantly greater cash injection. Although Investindustrial had reportedly offered a technical partnership with Mercedes and AMG as part of the bid, the announcement of the deal did not mention a technical tie-in with Mercedes’ performance arm.

Investindustrial owned Ducati until earlier this year when it sold the company to Audi for $1.1bn (Rs 9,593.7 crore).

Under the new deal, Investindustrial will become a shareholder alongside current Aston owner Investment Dar.

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M&M bidding for Aston Martin stake

M&M competing with European group for 50 percent stake

According to media reports, a 50 per cent stake in Aston Martin could be sold before the end of the month. Bids have been made by Mahindra & Mahindra and European buyout group InvestIndustrial. Although M&M are reported to have made the higher bid, InvestIndustrial has also offered a technical partnership with Mercedes as part of the deal.

Aston Martin boss Ulrich Bez recently told Autoexpo4 that the company was not for sale, but conceded the potential need for a technical partner. Aston Martin’s Kuwait owners Investment Dar led a consortium that bought Aston Martin for £493m (Rs 4,394.7 crore) in 2007.

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