Aston Martin Rapide S 2015 Review

In the Malaysian supercar market, four-door GT models have always been a minority choice—it’s often challenging to strike a balance between maintaining the passion of a performance car and meeting the practicality of daily commuting. The 2015 Aston Martin Rapide S, as the flagship four-door model under the brand, attempts to establish a foothold in this niche segment with the violent output of its 5.9L naturally aspirated V12 engine and luxurious British design. This time, we got our hands on the actual car, and the main goal is to verify whether it can fulfill the dual demands of "weekend cornering" and "daily family commuting."

Let’s start with the exterior. The overall silhouette of the Rapide S maintains Aston Martin’s classic GT lines, with a length of 5020mm and a width of 2140mm giving the body an elongated and low-slung appearance, while the height of 1360mm enhances its sporty stance. The front face features the brand’s signature large grille, complemented by muscle lines on the hood, exuding aggression; the LED headlights have a sharp design, and the daytime running lights are designed as strips, providing high recognition when lit. On the side, the door handles are of a recessed design, blending with the streamlined waistline that extends from the front fender to the rear, mitigating the bulkiness of a four-door model. The 20-inch wheels are paired with staggered tire sizes—front 245/40 ZR20 and rear 295/35 ZR20—balancing grip and visual hierarchy. At the rear, the LED taillights adopt the iconic "double-C" design, echoing the front; the small ducktail spoiler on the trunk lid and the quad-exhaust layout at the bottom further emphasize its performance attributes.

Stepping inside, a wave of luxury immediately greets you. The center console is wrapped in a generous amount of genuine leather, with precise stitching and a soft-touch material covering almost every reachable surface; the multifunction steering wheel offers a robust grip and a fine leather texture, with audio control and phone functions integrated on the left side. The center console layout is simple, and although the 6.5-inch touchscreen isn’t large, it operates smoothly and supports basic multimedia and navigation functionality. The seats are of a sporty design with ample lateral support, offering multi-directional adjustments to find a comfortable driving position. In terms of space, the 2989mm wheelbase ensures ample legroom for both the front and rear seats, and the 1990mm width prevents rear passengers from feeling cramped when two adults sit together. However, the sloping roofline limits headroom slightly for passengers taller than 180cm. As for storage, the front door pockets can hold two bottles of water, the center armrest box has moderate depth, and the trunk capacity can meet daily shopping needs, though luggage might need to be reduced for long-distance travel.

Dynamic performance is the core strength of the Rapide S. The 5.9L naturally aspirated V12 engine delivers a maximum power output of 552PS, paired with an AT transmission, allowing the car to accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 4.4 seconds, according to official figures. During actual driving, the throttle response in the initial stage is not overly aggressive, but pushing the pedal deeper instantly unleashes the explosive power of the V12 engine, providing sustained and strong thrust, with confident mid-to-high-speed acceleration. Overtaking requires just a light press on the accelerator to accomplish. The transmission has clear shift logic in sport mode, with prompt downshifts, while in normal mode, it leans toward smoothness, suitable for daily driving. In terms of handling, the front and rear double-wishbone independent suspension has a relatively stiff setup, the steering wheel is precise, and road feedback is clear. During cornering, body roll is well-controlled, the 295mm wide rear tires offer ample grip, and the rear responds flexibly without being abrupt. When dealing with bumpy roads, the suspension filters out most minor vibrations, but speed bumps or large potholes will cause noticeable impacts inside the cabin, as this is, after all, a performance-oriented GT car. Regarding fuel consumption, the official combined figure is 12.9L/100km, while real-world city driving is around 15-17L/100km, and it can drop to about 10L/100km during highway cruising. Considering its engine displacement and performance, this is within expectations.

In terms of driving comfort, the balance between seat wrapping and support is handled well, so you won't feel tired even during long drives. Regarding noise control, wind and tire noise may slightly penetrate during high-speed driving, but the V12 engine's roar at high revs turns into "background music," which, on the contrary, enhances the driving pleasure. In terms of features, keyless entry/start, automatic parking assist, hill-start assist, and other functions are equipped, making daily use quite convenient. However, the number of airbags is only two, which is slightly less competitive compared to models in the same class.

To summarize, the 2015 Aston Martin Rapide S has very prominent core highlights: the linear power delivery of the naturally aspirated V12 engine, a luxurious British interior ambiance, and a four-door design that balances performance and practicality. Compared to the Porsche Panamera Turbo in the same class, the naturally aspirated engine sound and the responsiveness akin to a manual transmission of the Rapide S provide more driving enjoyment. However, it is slightly inferior in terms of technology features and rear-seat space. Price-wise, the official price of RM 1,895,122 is not low, but it is within the regular range for four-door GT models in the supercar segment.

In conclusion, the Rapide S is suitable for consumers who pursue the driving passion of performance cars and occasionally need to carry family members—for instance, driving enthusiasts such as entrepreneurs or seasoned car fans. They are not satisfied with the dullness of ordinary luxury sedans and wish to balance daily practicality. It is neither a pure track machine nor a comfort-oriented family car but a car that allows you to enjoy driving on the weekends and commute stylishly during the workweek—a "versatile GT." If you're looking for a supercar with personality, quality, and adaptability to various scenarios, the Rapide S is worth adding to your consideration list.