2019 Aston Martin Rapide AMR

The Rapide was introduced in 2010 as Aston Martin entered the highly competitive four-door luxury sedan market crowded with skillful German offerings. In 2019, American and even Korean carmakers are at the top of their game, making it harder than ever for the British vanguard of luxury sports cars to compete. But Aston Martin has a trick up its sleeve in the form of the Rapide AMR. Those three letters (Aston Martin Racing) transform the sedan into a fire breathing supercar, mostly thanks to what could possibly be one of the last all-motor V12 engine setups around. The 595-horsepower powerplant propels the Rapide AMR to a top speed of 205 mph, and an uprated suspension setup makes sure it can grip hard too. The Rapide AMR will be sold in minimal numbers; only 210 of these special sedans will be sold worldwide priced at $240,000 as it goes up against the likes of the Porsche Panamera Turbo.

The limited-edition Rapide AMR is priced above most of its competitors and will cost you an eye-watering MSRP of $240,000 excluding taxes, title, options, delivery and registration fees. The Mercedes-Benz AMG S65 comes in with an MSRP of $232,550, and the fantastic Porsche Panamera Turbo which offers similar performance and luxury will only cost you only $161,900, almost $80,000 less than you'd pay for the Rapide AMR.

The standard Rapide was already an impressive handling car, lauded for its natural steering feel and excellent suspension damping. The AMR version takes things up a level or two thanks to an extensive revision of the suspension setup that sees the ride height drop by 0.4 inches. The standard Rapide S' three-stage damper system is still in place but has been tweaked to deliver superior dynamics and response. The updated suspension setup, matched with a grippy set of Michelin Super Sport summer tires, equates to a large luxury sedan that can move like a much smaller coupe.

There's no denying the fact that the Rapide isn't the lightest car, but a neutral shifting of weight through the corners hides that fact surprisingly well. The 21-inch wheels can feel a bit crashy at low speeds, especially with all the suspension settings turned up to ultra-stiff, but at speed, the Rapide AMR is still a beautifully composed car. Another advantage the AMR version holds over the standard Rapide is a set of large carbon-ceramic brakes. The front disks measure 15.7-inches up front and are mated to six-piston calipers, while the rear gets 14.1-inch discs with four-piston calipers, another size record for an Aston Martin sedan.

The 2019 Aston Martin Rapide AMR is a flawed car in many aspects, but at the end of the day is more than the sum of its parts. From the outside it is undeniable that the Rapide AMR is a handsome machine; the standard Rapide was already one of the best-looking luxury sedans on the market, but the more aggressive styling does the car justice. The interior of the AMR looks good and features premium materials, but the fit and finish aren't as good as its competitors, the same goes for the infotainment system, which is woefully outclassed by the competition. Where the Rapide AMR shines is on the road, and in mind. An all-motor V12 in a green British performance sedan? Say no more. The Rapide clings on to a memory of performance motoring that is quickly falling out of favor with automakers and consumers alike. The Rapide AMR is more than the sum of its parts; it is the romantic swansong of a rich heritage of British motoring that is being replaced by the calm and calculated efficiency of the electric revolution.

There's only one Rapide AMR you can buy, and in the same breath, there are only 210 of them globally available, so you'll have to make up your mind rather quick before they disappear into the garage of the other rich and famous. For the princely sum of $240,000 you'll get to drive away in a small piece of motoring history and heritage; an all motor V12 sedan wearing those hallowed wings on the hood that can go over 200 mph in comfort and style.

The Panamera has been around since 2010 and has cemented itself as a class-leading four-door luxury vehicle that balances comfort and performance in a practical everyday package. The 2019 Turbo packs a serious punch thanks to a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that pushes out 550 hp and 567 lb-ft of torque and launches it to sixty in only 3.6 seconds. The Panamera has better interior space, the build quality is of a higher specification, and the standard infotainment and safety features are superior to that found in the Aston Martin. The Panamera has more cargo space as well. The only thing the Panamera doesn't have on the Aston Martin Rapide AMR is exclusivity and that glorious V12. The Porsche is priced at $161,900, nearly $80,000 less than the Brit which begs the question, how much is exclusivity really worth?

The Maserati Quattroporte GTS GrandSport is another exotic luxury sedan that we don't see on our roads very often, but when we do, we know its something special. The Quattroporte is powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 which produces 523 hp and 524 lb-ft of torque and will accelerate to sixty in around 4.2 seconds. The Maserati is a heavy drinker and will return 17 mpg on a combined cycle, if you're lucky, even though it is the lighter and less powerful car. The Maserati comes equipped with a more significant range of electronic features, including safety equipment. The Quattroporte is priced at $137,980, which is just over $100,000 cheaper than the Aston Martin. A no brainer for some.