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Aston Martin Rapide | Spotted

In Stirling Green and costing £200k, the AMR was a tough sell; in Mariana Blue with £60k off, though...

By Matt Bird / Tuesday, November 24, 2020

It would be fair to say that the Rapide AMR plan was not as well executed by Aston Martin as it was devised. The idea was simple, as the best often are: the ultimate Rapide was going to be a motorsport-inspired farewell to both the VH architecture cars and the 5.9-litre V12. Between them both platform and engine had seen Aston transformed through the early part of the 21st century, the cars shot through with dynamic poise and seductive drama when the pair were brought together - think DBS, Vanquish and V12 Vantage S, just for starters.

Consequently, a limited edition for both engine and architecture needed to be special. There were going to be 210 Rapide AMRs since each was going to do 210mph, thanks to the deployment of the GT12's version of the engine, meaning more than 600hp. Only a couple of problems emerged. Even with a chunk more power than the already potent Rapide S, an AMR wouldn't do 210mph - though it's hard to imagine many grumbling at a 205mph maximum. The more significant issue was that there simply weren't enough people willing to part with almost £200k (£194,950) so say cheerio to the 5.9-litre, VH Astons. According to this advert, just 188 were made in total.

So perhaps things didn't go quite to plan the first time around. Secondhand though, the car appears a much more enticing proposition. Because here's an Aston not much more common than the Vantage with which it shared an engine - there were 100 GT12s made - paired with the ZF auto that's preferable to the automated manual, and with a unique status as run out special. Plus, most alluringly, a significant saving over list price; there are six cars currently for sale on PH, and this one - with a blue that suits the big four-door far better than green - is for sale at Aston Martin Works for £140k with 4,000 miles. Flawed or not, a better colour and tens of thousands of pounds off does change the story somewhat.

Because the Rapide AMR was undoubtedly a fine driver's car. It was - and will remain - so much more authentic and engaging than something like an M5 or E63, a richer experience at every point. As might have rightly been expected for almost twice the money, only now the situation is slightly different. With the Ultimate Pack on a newly revised M5, it's a £120k car...

At which point it's probably pertinent to point out that the Rapide S, from which the AMR was derived, is available in immaculate condition for less than half this money. The flagship remains a very expensive car, no doubt - though it now only appears undeniably so, rather than preposterously. This was quite clearly more than just a quicker Rapide S, too, with ceramic brakes as standard, extensively reworked adaptive dampers and new Michelin tyres. It retained the Rapide's impeccable manners, but was tangibly more rewarding to drive. It was a really, really lovely thing.

So, yes, while the interior is no longer all that modern (and was never all that spacious), the Rapide AMR's case is simpler to make now than at any previous point. It's a fitting farewell to a memorable Aston Martin era, now for little more than two-thirds the original price. What more do you need to know?

SPECIFICATION | ASTON MARTIN RAPIDE AMR

Engine: 5,935cc, V12
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 603@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 465@N/A rpm
MPG: 21.9 (Rapide S)
CO2: 300g/km (Rapide S)
Year registered: 2019
Recorded mileage: 4,000
Price new: £194,950
Yours for: £139,950

See the original advert here

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