2011 Aston Martin Rapide

2011 Aston Martin Rapide Sedan The Rapide is certainly a looker. The roofline moves at illegal speeds, thanks to the greenhouse's acres of tumblehome and the muscular haunches of the rear fenders' leading edge. Sure, the Rapide is a hunkering, swaggering affair. But unlike the earth hugging wedge of William Town's 1976 Aston Martin Lagonda, the Rapide isn't a serious rethink of the traditional luxury sedan: it's a Dachshund-ized DB9 with a significantly wider rear track. No surprise then, that the Rapide so closely resembles the coupe there's almost no difference from the front or rear. Thetruthaboutcars.com, Dec. 2012 For consignment, a 2011 Aston Martin Rapide with a title verified 27,244 actual miles. This is a two owner car who, suffice it to say, did not daily drive it. Yes, this is one we'd reserve for long road trips where rear passengers are afforded plush accommodations! This car has been maintained by the dealership. Exterior There might be a few who argue, but many agree, Aston Martin builds some of the most beautiful cars in the world. Just as the Panamera of Porsche took some time for the public to recognize, so too for the Aston which takes the breathtaking two door coupes and adds a set of doors. This one is bathed in miles deep Concours Blue paint and instead of having contrasting tail lights, the futurist clean lenses are like having crystal inlays on the rear deck. Even the third brake light illuminates red, but presents like ice and against the blue, it's fantastic. Elongated headlight housing is cut perfectly into the front fender and Aston's distinctive grille is front and center. The gold standard of accenting includes fender vent trim that lights up, heat extractor hood vents in silver, and of course, the steel winged logo. The 20-inch wheels show some clear coat deglazing and some curb rash, and we note they are wrapped in ZR rated tires with an early 2023 date code. Other imperfections include some scratches and scuffs in several places, rock chips below the lower grille, and a plethora of chin scrapes on the same, and a few touched up chips. Interior There are interiors, and then there are Aston Martin interiors. The door panels alone will take your breath as Blue Haze leather dances with Cream Truffle leather, while the optional Tamo Ash wood inserts take center stage. The silvery gray speakers and switchgear are the encore and all four doors get a standing ovation from us. Tall, sporty leather bucket seats with Rapide embroidery occupy the front AND the rear and other than some minor patina creasing on the fronts, the seating is in beautiful shape. A center console bisects the seats in back where riders are afforded with cupholders, seat and A/C controls, and rear screens in the front headrests. Up front, the satin black steering wheel fronts an instrument cluster that could have been designed by the world's best watchmakers; clean, concise, and stylish, and situated behind glass. The center gets more wood treatment and a handsome array of switches aligned with a Bang and Olufsen Beosound audio system with CD. Plush dark blue carpet below is matched by the plush tan headliner above and the trunk is fully finished in thick blue carpet, including the trunk lid. Wow. Drivetrain Artfully configured and taking up the entire bay is a 6.0 liter DOHC V12 rated at an astounding 470 horsepower, normally aspirated with fuel injection. It's mated to a Touchtronic 2 6-speed automatic transmission that routes power to the rear axle with 3.46 gears. Undercarriage Attention to detail is evident underneath with strategic belly pans vented where they need to be and there's even an NACA duct underneath for airflow. Meanwhile, four wheel power disc brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution are present, the dual exhaust runs through all its original equipment including the muffler, and suspension includes dynamic stability control and is configured with Macpherson struts in front and doubl