Performance Review: Aston-Martin Rapide S 5.9 V12 - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Aston-Martin Rapide Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Aston-Martin Rapide S 5.9 V12 is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance and the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.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 1990 kgs (4387 lbs) this makes the Aston-Martin Rapide S 5.9 V12 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 or the give or take 50kg.

The Aston-Martin Rapide shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 5935cc 48V V12 engine produces 550 bhp (410 kW) @ 6750 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 457 lb-ft (619.6 Nm) @ 5500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 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 2012 Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Performance Package (301.3 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 276.3 bhp per ton and 229.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 Rapide competing with the 2012 Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Performance Package (301.3 bhp per ton) or the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 3.5 V6 Supercharged (301.2 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 229.6 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 BMW 3 Series M3 F80 (254.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Bentley Continental GT Speed (254.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.0 secs, this made the Aston-Martin Rapide S 5.9 V12 as fast as the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (4.80 secs) the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (4.80 secs) the 2018 Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.7 V12 Turbo (4.80 secs) the or the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 392 (4.80 secs). This Aston-Martin Rapide S 5.9 V12 is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the and the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Rapide and the 1969 AMC AMX 6.4L V8 7030

When talking about the performance of the Aston-Martin Rapide on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.64 secs @ 108.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 AMC AMX 6.4L V8 7030 (12.59 secs), the 1991 Porsche 928 GTS 5.4L V8 (12.60 secs), and the 2006 BMW Alpina B3 3.0 Bi Turbo (12.60 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the Aston-Martin Rapide S 5.9 V12 has a maximum speed of 190mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 Rapide equals the 2020 Audi R8 5.2 V10 (201 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2013 Aston-Martin Rapide S 5.9 V12 then how about the 2020 Audi R8 5.2 V10 (201 mph), the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 RWD Spyder (201 mph), or the 2019 Audi R8 5.2 V10 RWD (201 mph).

Related Links:

2013 Rapide Rivals List.

A Brief History of Aston-Martin

Car Comparison