Description
Having just taken delivery of a new grand tourer I am selling my 2012 Aston Martin Rapide. In my opinion one of the best grand touring cars ever made. We have found it fabulous for effortless transcontinental journeys. For a performance GT though it is surprisingly versatile with 4 doors, 4 seats, and luggage space, a kind of "super family hatchback".
We love the wonderful dual character, smooth quiet continental tourer, not quite as refined as the Bentley Continental GT (but close), but then press the accelerator pedal harder and the glorious V12 song and performance is delivered as befits an Aston Martin GT. Since covid we have had two trouble-free French outings totalling 3, 600 miles. every one a pleasure.
The Rapide is powered by Aston Martin's super smooth 5. 9 L V12 engine, generating a maximum power output 477 PS (351 kW; 470 hp) and torque of 600 N⋅m (443 lb⋅ft). It is rear-wheel drive and has a 6-speed Touchtronic II automatic transmission. The Rapide has claimed top speed of 188 mph (303 km/ h), and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/ h) in 5. 2 seconds.
It was designed by stretching the design of the DB9 in order to accommodate the extra pair of doors. Aston Martin design director, Marek Reichman has described a thoroughbred race horse as an inspiration, stating that he wanted muscles in the design to be visible through the skin; subtle design elements improve the already gorgeous DB9 lines, notably the more emphasised wider rear flanks.
According to Aston Martin, the Rapide's "standard features" included:
Tilt-telescoping steering column,
Bi-xenon headlamps
LED taillamps.
Leather and walnut wood trim with metallic accents;
power front seats with memory, cooling and heating systems;
Bluetooth radio with USB and iPod connectivity.
Bang & Olufsen 16-speaker sound system with two tweeters that rise from the dashboard on activation of the system
Integrated 6 CD changer.
Our car has, inter-alia, the following factory options:
Two tone leather interior
Piano black centre console
Rear seat entertainment system (video screens with wireless headsets and DVD changer).
There's more - In 2012, the Rapide became the first Aston Martin model to replace the clunky Volvo-sourced satellite navigation system with a bespoke Garmin unit, which our car is fitted with as standard. However, while the Garmin display is higher resolution and has improved functionality over the "Volvo" system, and the B&O speaker system is great, I felt the satellite navigation and audio head unit was really not up to "modern" standards and convenience, and so I had a wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto upgrade installed which uses the original high-resolution Garmin display. This is the IDCore system (£850 + fitting) and is a properly engineered box which is installed next the Garmin installation under the rear passenger seat. The system is fully integrated with the standard a/ v unit, displaying Carplay or Android Auto on the existing screen on top of the dashboard and is fully integrated with the standard controls (both the dashboard and steering wheel controls). All original audio and navigation functions are also retained, but owners now have the added choice of Apple Carplay or Android Auto, I prefer the latter. The Car was first registered May 2012, current mileage is 25, 038 at 8th Feb 2024 (this may increase slightly prior to sale). The car has full service history:
1st service Lancaster Sevenoaks 23/ 11/ 2012 10, 035 miles + anti-corrosion inspection
2nd service Lancaster Sevenoaks 02/ 12/ 2013 14, 139 miles + anti-corrosion inspection
3rd service Lancaster Sevenoaks 26/ 11/ 2014 15, 908 miles + anti-corrosion inspection
4th service Stratstone of Mayfair 26/ 11/ 2015 not recorded + anti-corrosion inspection
5th service Aston Martin Mayfair 19/ 12/ 2016 17, 641 miles + anti-corrosion inspection
6th service Stratstone Western Ave 21/ 01/ 2018 17, 998 miles + anti-corrosion inspection
7th service Aston Martin Mayfair 11/ 01/ 2019 18, 398 miles + anti-corrosion inspection
8th service Aston Martin Mayfair 27/ 02/ 2020 18, 845 miles + anti-corrosion inspection
9th service Aston Martin Mayfair 25/ 02/ 2021 19, 726 miles + anti-corrosion inspection
10th service Stratstone Mayfair 24/ 02/ 2022 19, 820 miles + anti-corrosion inspection
11th service AJ Tech Ltd. 11/ 10/ 2023 24, 555 miles
All of the above are stamped in the maintenance section of the vehicle log book / user manual.
MoT expiry: 19 March 2024
As we are in the far south-west, a long way from Aston Martin dealers, the last service performed by AJ Tech Ltd, Aston Martin specialists, staffed by ex Aston Martin technicians, who in addition to performing a full 20, 000 mile service, also replaced the hydraulic struts on both front driver and passenger doors which were a little below par.
The car had 4 new tyres at 20, 936 miles.
The car comes complete with the 2 "crystal" keys, a valeting key, wireless headsets for the rear seat entertainment and original leatherbound user handbook with complete service records.
In 2012, the Rapide became the first Aston Martin model to replace the clunky Volvo-sourced satellite navigation system with a bespoke Garmin unit, which our car is fitted with as standard. However, while the Garmin display is higher resolution and has improved functionality over the "Volvo" system, and the B&O speaker system is great, I felt the satellite navigation and audio head unit was really not up to "modern" standards and convenience, and so I had a wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto upgrade installed which uses the original high-resolution Garmin display and is fully integrated with the standard a/ v unit, and the standard controls (both the dashboard and steering wheel controls). All original audio and navigation functions are retained, but owners now have the added choice of Apple Carplay or Android Auto, I use the latter for my music and satelite navigation being far more reliable with far better functionality than the standard Garmin.
While we have taken delivery of it's replacement we are in no great hurry to sell, this is an excellent, cherished, low mileage example, with no known faults - so please no silly offers. Sensible offers will of course be considered. I would consider part exchange with classic Alfa Giulia Sprint or Alfasud Sprint (cash either way).
