In my continual training to become an undercover agent (I speak multiple languages, take regular body combat classes and am caught out of the country on not-so-secret missions all too often), finding a suitable means of transport is imperative. In a nod, then, to the original international man of mystery James Bond himself, there can surely be only one option. Throw in the additional accolade of it being recently voted the ‘world’s coolest brand’, and you have it in one: the mighty Aston Martin.
Introducing the Rapide – Aston Martin’s biggest automobile yet, complete with four seats, and four separate doors, this car re-works the more standardised two-seater idea of the luxury sports car. From both outside and in, it is a beauty to behold and, even from a distance, will awaken your inner sense of chic. This is the ultimate jewel in the crown for any modern magpie.
Start by simply sitting in one of the leather clad racing-car style seats, and you’ll automatically feel part of the international elite. And with the view from the walnut fascia dash over its long aluminium, magnesium alloy composite body, the feeling becomes magnified. You could be in a submarine, or staring out from the nose of a 10ft rocket. Looking down at the speedo, you’ll realise this analogy may not be too far from the truth; 110mph sits proudly only half way up the dial – and you can barely see 30 or 40 (thank goodness for the accompanying real-time digital speed screen). The magnificent rear-wheel drive 48 valve 5935cc V12 all alloy engine (phwoar!) means you can achieve maximum speeds of 184mph and hit 0-60 in an impressive five seconds flat. But even in the slower zones, there is still some bite to be had. A handy addition of the ‘sport’ button located just beneath the iconic Bang & Olufsen audio system, sat nav and entertainment console imparts an extra oomph to city spins – putting power to the throttle when you need to pull out quickly from busy junctions. Press the button, find your moment and hear the fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust roar into heady, powerful life.
Carried by 20-inch alloy wheels with a brake horse power of 470, this beautiful piece of clever engineering provides one of life’s smoothest rides. A real pleasure to drive, her rear mid-mounted ‘Touchtronic 2’ six-speed gearbox with electronic shift-by-wire control system and highly enviable speed-sensitive power-assisted steering enables you to glide like the most proficient of ice-skaters from A to B, and further beyond.
This kind of car can’t help but show off its enviable personality over all ground covered, no matter where you are or what the occasion. And as a newly transformed super-man, or woman, you’ll of course be at the beck and call of all your (new) super-friends. Skirts are still not to be advised as suitable driving attire, even with the accolade of a door each – although this may well help reel the boys in, for all the wrong reasons. Show off instead with your driving prowess, and whether you’re in London or en-route to Monaco, you’ll be attracting some seriously hot attention wherever you go.
