New Rapide S shaves 0.3 seconds off its 0-62 mph time, which drops from the 5.2 seconds to just 4.9 seconds. Top speed climbs to more than 190 mph. Fully CNC machined combustion chambers; lighter, hollow, cam shafts; dual variable camshaft timing; knock sensing – these important advances all help reinforce the V12 engine's position as a mainstay of the Aston Martin range.

The interior of an Aston Martin Rapide S is pictured. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

More efficient, as well as more potent, the new Rapide S cuts its CO2 emissions by seven per cent - from 355 g/km to 332 g/km - while fuel economy now stands at 19.9 mpg on the official EU combined cycle.

A product of the latest generation of Aston Martin's world-renowned VH engineering philosophy, which debuted in 2003, the car is based on the new Gen4 VH architecture.