Performance Review: Aston-Martin Rapide 6.0 V12 - [2009]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Aston-Martin Rapide Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Aston-Martin Rapide 6.0 V12 is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2009. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport and the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8.This particular Aston-Martin Rapide has a 5935cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12

The Rapide shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Rapide's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1950 kgs (4299 lbs) this makes the Aston-Martin Rapide 6.0 V12 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive or the give or take 50kg.

The Aston-Martin Rapide shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (493 bhp)

In terms of power the 5935cc 48V V12 engine produces 470 bhp (350 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (493 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 443 lb-ft (600.6 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Aston-Martin Rapide you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2009 Jaguar XF R 5.0 V8 Supercharged (265.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Aston-Martin Rapide.

The Aston-Martin Rapide has a Power to weight ratio of 241.0 bhp per ton and 227.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2009 Rapide competing with the 2009 Jaguar XF R 5.0 V8 Supercharged (265.9 bhp per ton) or the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (265.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Aston-Martin Rapide generating around 227.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2013 Porsche Panamera Diesel 3.0 V6 Turbo (252.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Lotus Evora GT430 Sport 3.5 V6 Supercharged (252.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.3 secs, this made the Aston-Martin Rapide 6.0 V12 as fast as the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (5.10 secs) the or the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs). This Aston-Martin Rapide 6.0 V12 is also faster than the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs) the and the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range (5.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Rapide and the 2004 Lotus Exige S2 1.8

When talking about the performance of the Aston-Martin Rapide on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.24 secs @ 103.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2004 Lotus Exige S2 1.8 (13.19 secs), the 2018 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy EDC (13.19 secs), and the 1997 Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 (13.21 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2009 version of the Aston-Martin Rapide 6.0 V12 has a maximum speed of 188mph.

Top Speed of the 2009 Rapide equals the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Stradale 4.0 V8 Hybrid (199 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2009 Aston-Martin Rapide 6.0 V12 then how about the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Stradale 4.0 V8 Hybrid (199 mph), the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo (199 mph), or the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (199 mph).

Related Links:

2009 Rapide Rivals List.

A Brief History of Aston-Martin

Car Comparison