2010 Rapide - Review of Aston Martin's Stretched DB9

When you are looking for a car that combines elegance and sportiness, the new Aston Martin Rapide falls nowhere short of amazement. It is all around magnificent, with its jaw dropping beauty only being the tip of the iceberg. In essence, the Rapide is a stretched DB9 which was a massive step forward for Aston Martin from the older DB7.

The Aston Martin Rapide was hand-built in the same factory as the DB9. As a result, it has all of the similar panels found on a DB9 with the same 6.0 liter V12 engine pumping out about 470 brake horsepower which is, again, the same as the DB9. This new stretched DB9 will come in from a standstill to 60 mph in a shattering 5 seconds, a mere tenth of a second slower than the DB9. And once it hits 60 mph, it will keep going and going to a claimed 188 mph.

The Rapide combines its blistering speed and power with its refined and stunning exterior, and the story is no different on the inside either. On the exterior, there is Aston Martin's signature grill and the stunning headlights. There are curves that start from the front and carry on to the back where the tail lights are similar, if not, exactly the same as the DB9's big brother, the DBS. If you ever do decide to stop looking at it from the outside, you will make your way onto the inside where elegance and luxury make you astounded. Everything that looks like wood and metal is wood and metal. And the list goes on with its satellite navigation and its heated and air conditioned seats.

The main purpose of the Rapide, however, is to allow for two extra passengers to sit comfortably in the rear seats. The rear seats can fold down for a massive trunk or you can leave them up to fit two adults comfortably for an average trip. And with the DVD system for the rear seats they won't get bored, or you could decide to listen to the amazing Bang & Olufsen stereo system.

Aston Martin's motto is power, beauty, and soul, and their entire line up so far has lived up to it. So, does the Rapide live up to it as well? In short, yes. The Rapide has the power. It has the beauty. And it definitely has the soul, but I have managed to find one flaw with it--while you're on the inside of it, you can't see its stunning body on the outside.

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