Aston Martin beefs up the Rapide S

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WARWICKSHIRE, England, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- British car maker Aston Martin said it has put a little more juice in its Rapide S model sports car -- a little more pep, a little more get up and go.

In one of the upgrades that coincide with the car company's 100th birthday, Aston Martin has unleashed a Rapide S with its 6.0-liter V-12 engine now rated at 550 horsepower, up from the previous model's 470 hp.

The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday the car's new muscle jumps its acceleration capacity. The car can zip from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, slightly better than the previous model's 5.1 seconds.

The newspaper says the car's erstwhile rival, the Porsche Panamera Turbo S, has exactly the same horsepower, but can make the jump from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. General Motors' Corvette, with a 6.2-liter, 450 hp V-8, can cover the distance in less than 4 seconds, as well.

For the extra muscle, sports car buyers can take a Rapide S home for $200,000, which is $10,000 less than the outgoing model.

Other changes include the front grill, which is now a one-piece structure that conforms to European safety regulations, unlike its predecessor.