Aston Martin Rapide S review

It has a V12 under the bonnet: even more exciting, it has an improved V12 in ‘S’ guise, nicked from the Vanquish and now producing 558bhp. It makes a truly wondrous noise and goes hard too. In 2015 Aston added ZF's eight-speed auto, for shifts as creamy as the V12 itself. 

The Rapide’s additional length does wonders for the ride comfort, while the steering is quick and clear. It’s very easy to forget that you’re driving something with a couple of seats behind you, which given they’ll rarely be occupied does make it seem a bit pointless.

The thing is it’s one of Aston’s best steering and most comfortable driving cars. The steering’s weighting is near perfect and clever adaptive dampers neatly balance comfort and control. Aston has basically given it a full makeover and concentrated round of honing, to make it better than before and thus a very appealing alternative to the usual four-door fare.