Test Drive: The Aston Martin Rapide S Seeks Aristotle's Golden Mean

Where is the perfect mid-point between practicality, speed, and style?

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

In Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle's masterpiece on the topic of virtue and ethics, the great Greek philosopher describes a virtue as being the "golden mean" between two vices. Bravery, for example, is situated even between cowardice and rashness; it is wrong to both cower in fear at every threat, and to run headfirst into all of them without considering the consequences of one's actions. This concept dominated my mind, as it wrapped around my time on track with Aston Martin's newly upgraded sedan, the Rapide S. Let me explain. 

1

Not Available Interstitial

2

Not Available Interstitial

Our briefing was a little intimidating; as the Atlanta Motorsports Park was described to the gaggle of 12 journalists, we came to the realization that it was a tight, technical course with a lot of elevation changes, and that it seemed like the kind of place that would be better suited to a tiny and lightweight Lotus, rather than 4,387 lbs of V12 sedan. It seemed like we were about to embark on the unfortunate mission of trying to take a car made for long sweeping turns around a series of  Tilke-designed (just look it up) tight corners and even a replica of the Nurburgring's carousel.

It seemed unlikely that a car of this size and weight could find the golden mean between being a useful sedan and being able to handle a course of this complexity with aplomb.

3

Not Available Interstitial

4

Not Available Interstitial

5

Not Available Interstitial

6

Not Available Interstitial

7

Not Available Interstitial

Latest in Sports