Spied: 2012 Aston Martin Rapide "S"
 

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Spied: 2012 Aston Martin Rapide "S"
The Rapide gets a little boost from DBS

With the introduction of the Aston Martin Rapide only in 2010, these photos do not show a facelift of the first saloon of the make since over 20 years. Instead, the lower front facia and additional air-intake hint to a sportier version of the Rapide, likely to be called “S”. Borrowing the 5.9-litre V12 engine of the DBS, the Rapide S might come with 517 hp rather than the 476 hp of the standard Rapide. Enjoy the images below!

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That will make a nice upgrade in power!

Nice! A little more HP is never a bad thing!

It should need more. That car is as fast as an Audi S4 to 200KM/h. It should need around 550HP to actually move as fast as it costs.

Bentley puts that AM to shame.

Yup! :yup:

Aston Martin Rapide S spied
Even faster four-door will get powerful V12 from DBS and revised styling.

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The Rapide is ready to live up to its name. Spy photographers have caught a thinly-disguised prototype out on the road near the firm's HQ in Gaydon, Warwickshire, and our sources have confirmed that it's a faster 'S' version of the four-door supercar.

The standard Rapide is no slouch, with a 470bhp 6.0-litre V12 it can cover 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds, and you can read our review of that car here. But the Rapide S will be even quicker and feature the uprated engine from the DBS - with 510bhp. To cope with the extra power, expect carbon-ceramic brake discs as standard and firmer suspension settings for better body control.

As you can see in our pictures, the front and rear styling will get a refresh to give it a more aggressive appearance. A lower front bumper now gets an additional air intake, while deep scoops either side will mark it out from the standard car. At the back there's a more prominent boot lip spoiler and a reprofiled bumper.

Expect a price hike to match the improved specification, bringing the cost of th eRapide S close to the £200,000 mark when it arrives later this year.

Read more: Aston Martin Rapide S spied | Auto Express News | News | Auto Express

Why do they wrap it?

We all know it will look the same than all the other Astons.

"The standard Rapide is no slouch, with a 470bhp 6.0-litre V12 it can cover 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds"... oh really? Even a 335i is faster :lol:.