Bond’s Family Car: 2020 Aston Martin Rapide AMR

The 4-Door family supercar category has been one that has been around for quite a long time now and has produced some incredible machinery. The Bentley Continental Flying Spur, Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, Porsche Panamera Turbo S, BMW M8 Gran Coupe, BMW M5 CS to name a few are the menaces that most definitely came to play no games, like Priest Jason Statham in Mean Machine. Over the years they have gotten their fair share of recognition and fame, but there’s one player that has been consigned to oblivion in about as quick Fetty Wap.

That is, the 2020 Aston Martin Rapide AMR, The Last Aston Martin to have the glorious 6.0L Naturally Aspirated V12, of which is actually a 5.9L, but we’ll let that be. This brute was revealed in 2018, as the production version of the concept shown at Geneva the previous year (2017). The Rapide AMR was the epilogue of the Rapide (which later became the Rapide S), a car that originally came out back in 2010, based on a platform that has been around since 2004, from the DB9.

Aston Martin President & Chief Executive Officer, Dr Andy Palmer once commented: ‘AMR takes technology and inspiration from our motorsport programme to amplify the sporting prowess in our road cars which is clear to see in the Rapide AMR, Aston Martin’s most extreme, 4-door sports car. With enhanced performance, sharper dynamics and more powerful design language, Aston Martin has taken Rapide to new and exciting extremes.”

This proved to be true as the AMR has some substantial tweaks and changes compared to the regular Rapide S. At the heart of the Rapide AMR, the naturally aspirated drivetrain got its first pack of tweaks that draws much of their technology and character from the potent Aston Martin Vantage GT12. Larger inlet manifolds with tuned length dual inlet runners enhance the airflow into the 6.0-litre V12 engine and, combined with new engine and gearbox calibration, this results in an increase in power. The legendary V12 was now able to put out 603PS and 630NM of torque, while a new quad exhaust ensures a raucous sound befitting of the AMR badge.

To help harness all of this power and to launch from 0-60mph in just 4.2 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds), the Rapide AMR has 21-inch wheels – which was a first for any Aston Martin – paired with ultra-high performance Michelin Super Sport tyres. The large, forged wheels have a multi spoke design that is not only very stiff but also aids brake cooling. To further aid thermal management of the brakes, the Rapide AMR utilises an evolution of the cooling system on the Vanquish S, with modified brake ducts and dust shields.

As standard, the Rapide AMR comes fitted with carbon ceramic brakes. Measuring 400mm at the front with six piston calipers and 360mm at the rear with four piston calipers, this was the first time that a Rapide had been fitted with such stopping power. The carbon ceramic discs are also part of AMR’s ethos to use lightweight components whilst reducing unsprung mass they have a noticeably beneficial effect on the driving experience.
Alongside the new tyres, brakes and aerodynamics, the Rapide’s suspension also received considerable attention. The Rapide AMR rides 10mm lower than a Rapide S and although the three stage adaptive dampers remain, they have been thoroughly reengineered to create a car that is more focused, agile and dynamic. Much of the development work was completed at the then newly opened AMR Performance Centre at the Nürburgring.

This particular Aston Martin is one that is very underrated and most definitely forgotten in the minds of many. Hell, many don’t know the Rapide AMR existed. It deserves all the love the other machinery in this category get.