Developed as a spiritual successor to the iconic Lagonda, the Rapide was launched in 2010 and became the company's first four-door in two decades. Updated to "S" specification in 2013, when it also received an upgraded V-12 engine, the Rapide soldiered on unchanged until 2017 and there weren't many hints that Aston Martin is planning on doing something new anytime soon. However, the sedan was included in the new performance AMR program that the British firm launched at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

Essentially a high performance brand similar to Mercedes' AMG and BMW's M division, AMR is actually inspired by the Aston Martin Racing motorsport division and adds numerous bespoke features, as well as drivetrain upgrades. The AMR lineup will include two types of cars. There will be plain AMR models closely related to their road-going counterparts and AMR Pro cars with more extreme specs, including versions for track use only. The Rapide AMR concept is part of the former, being less aggressive than a track-prepped car but slotting above the regular model.

Aston Martin didn't say how many of the features created for the show will make it to the production model, but it's safe to assume that every single add-on will be made available to customers. Especially given the already high degree of customization you can get with standard models.

Continue reading to learn more about the Aston Martin Rapide AMR concept

What Makes the Aston Martin Rapide AMR Concept Special?

A quick glance at the Rapide AMR is enough to notice that this is no regular model. Not only finished in an Aston Martin Racing-inspired livery metallic Stirling Green with yellowish, lime green stripes and accents, the Rapide AMR is also fitted with a range of bespoke exterior features that give it a more menacing stance.

The front fascia has "race car" written all over it thanks to the black, honeycomb grille instead of the usual horizontal slats and the heavily redesigned bumper. While the standard model has a clean apron section with a small opening under the grille, the AMR package adds a new, sportier element that includes the lower section and the foglamps. Made from carbon-fiber in a gloss finish, it also includes a splitter with lime green accents.

Moving onto the sides, we can see carbon-fiber side skirts with the same lime green stripe, blacked-out front fender vents and door handles, carbon-fiber mirror caps, and 21-inch, matte black alloys wheels. The rear is just as menacing, featuring a new, carbon-fiber diffuser with line green detailing, revised exhaust pipes, and a new aero flip on the deck lid. Paired with the race-inspired livery, all these upgrades look gorgeous and give the Rapide the aggressive stance it deserves.

The interior also received a lot of attention. The center stack and console casings, and some door elements are made from carbon-fiber, while the steering wheel and much of the trim is wrapped in Dark Knight Alcantara. Lime green accents add a dash of color to the center stack and the carbon-fiber seats, which also feature green "AMR" lettering. And something tells me that Aston Martin can offer even more bespoke features.

Under the hood, the naturally aspirated, 6.0-liter V-12 engine was upgraded to generate 592 horsepower, a 40-horsepower increase over the regular sedan. Already pretty quick with a standard 0-to-62 mph time of 4.4 seconds, the Rapide should be able to hit the benchmark in 4.3 ticks in AMR spec. Also, top speed increased from 203 to a whopping 210 mph. The drivetrain package is rounded off by a new exhaust system that gives the Rapide AMR a unique growl.

Needless to say, Aston Martin finally has what it takes to compete with Mercedes-AMG and BMW M sedans.