Performance Review: Aston-Martin Rapide S 6.0 V8 Shadow Edition - [2016]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Aston-Martin Rapide Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Aston-Martin Rapide S 6.0 V8 Shadow Edition is the 8 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2016. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 6.2 V8 and the 2016 Bugatti Chiron 8.0 W16 Quad 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 6.0 V8 Shadow Edition 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 565 bhp (421 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 2016 Mercedes E Class 63 S AMG 4Matic Saloon (308.9 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 283.9 bhp per ton and 229.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2016 Rapide competing with the 2016 Mercedes E Class 63 S AMG 4Matic Saloon (308.9 bhp per ton) or the 2020 Aston-Martin Vantage Roadster 4.0 V8 Turbo (308.9 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 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 4.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.3 secs, this made the Aston-Martin Rapide S 6.0 V8 Shadow Edition as fast as the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.20 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (4.20 secs) the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (4.20 secs) the or the 2020 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.20 secs). This Aston-Martin Rapide S 6.0 V8 Shadow Edition is also faster than the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the and the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Rapide and the 1970 Aston-Martin DBS Coupe 5.3 V8

When talking about the performance of the Aston-Martin Rapide on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.53 secs @ 109.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Aston-Martin DBS Coupe 5.3 V8 (12.47 secs), the 1970 Ford Falcon 4th Gen 429 Cobra Jet V-8 4-speed (12.48 secs), and the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII GSR (12.49 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2016 version of the Aston-Martin Rapide S 6.0 V8 Shadow Edition has a maximum speed of 203mph.

Top Speed of the 2016 Rapide equals the 2005 Pagani Zonda F (214 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2016 Aston-Martin Rapide S 6.0 V8 Shadow Edition then how about the 2005 Pagani Zonda F (214 mph), the 2006 Ascari A10 5.0 V8 (215 mph), or the 2017 Ford GT 3.5 V6 Bi-Turbo (216 mph).

Related Links:

2016 Rapide Rivals List.

A Brief History of Aston-Martin

Car Comparison