The 2014-2015 Aston Martin Rapide S is something of an in-between super-luxury car.->ke505 Aston’s four-door sports car->ke506 competes with cars like the Porsche Panamera->ke1840 and Maserati Quattroporte->ke336 in terms of performance, but there’s also a high-luxury aspect that doesn’t come up as frequently. Aston Martin->ke13 would like the Rapide->ke1082 to be seen as a slicker competitor to the Bentley Flying Spur->ke1657 as well. The "Q by Aston Martin" personalization service isn’t just a winking reminder of the marque’s long history with James Bond; it’s also an effort to compete with the bespoke divisions of its competitors.

To help showcase this service, Aston Martin has dressed up its aging executive sedan with limited-edition bespoke models like the Dom Perignon Deuxieme Plenitude. This Rapide S has been built in conjunction with Dom Perignon, and its trunk-mounted champagne storage unit will ultimately be offered to customers looking for a unique option. For some customers, it could be the perfect blend: a hand-crafted luxury sedan->ke142 and the finest bubbly ready upon arrival. But is it enough to set the Rapide S apart from the high-performance luxury crowd?

Continue reading to learn more about the Aston Martin Milano Rapide S Dom Perignon Deuxieme Plenitude.

aston-martin-milano-rapide-s-dom-perignon-deuxieme-plenitude

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: aston-martin-milano-rapide-s-dom-perignon-deuxieme-plenitude
Pros
Cons

2016 Aston Martin Milano Rapide S Dom Perignon Deuxieme Plenitude

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Aston Martin Milano Rapide S Dom Perignon Deuxieme Plenitude
  • Engine/Motor: V12
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

At curbside, the Rapide S does a reasonable job of setting itself apart. Where its competition tends toward family looks that are in keeping with their respective lineups, Aston took its sedan in a show-car direction, and its look has aged well in spite of only having had one facelift since 2006.

The Rapide S has a long-hood and a short deck that’s inspired by Aston’s sports cars, and it stands out in stark contrast to the more traditional, upright 2014 Bentley Flying Spur and 2014 Mercedes S-Class. The Rapide S is low and delicate-looking, with signature Aston lines carrying the grille shape into the hood.

Front fender trim cuts neatly into the doors in homage to classic Astons, and the clear taillights are similar to the sports car lineup. The Rapide has "swan wing" doors that rise at an angle to the body, though not so ostentatious as a Lamborghini's scissor doors.

The rear doors have hidden handles, to give the car a coupe-like silhouette. The bespoke Dom Perignon Deuxieme Plenitude is a monochromatic black car, the only flashes of color being the chrome trim and red brake calipers. From the outside it's identified only by badges. Aston may offer additional colors if the car goes into production.

Interior

Inside, it's a different story. This custom Rapide S gets a dark brown and burgundy interior treatment that softens the laid-back and sporty cockpit somewhat. Driver and passenger are separated by a wide console, and there's a complicated, exotic-timepiece look to the instrument panel's center stack. There's seating for four with consoles going all the way back, naturally. The Rapide S is a close-coupled cruiser.

This is a four-door coupe,->ke141 not a sedan. The 7.8 cubic-foot cargo area is where Dom Perignon has worked some magic. There's a handcrafted color-matched carrying case designed to carry three bottles of Dom Perignon -- specifically, the special-batch Deuxieme Plenitude champagne for which it's named. The case also holds two champagne tulips.

Drivetrain

An exotic sedan needs an exotic powerplant, and the Rapide S is motivated by a 6.0-liter V12 that produces 552 horsepower. Aston has a reputation for brawny engines, and this is no exception -- though it's genteel enough to resist the urge to scream like a racing V12.

The Rapide S is powerful in a subtle and confident way. An eight-speed automatic transmission puts the power to 20-inch rear wheels. The Rapide S lives up to its name with a 4.2-second 0-60 sprint and a top speed of over 200 miles per hour.

The suspension uses double wishbones at all four corners, and the stiff chassis shares DNA with the DB9 coupe.

The engine's mounted far back in the chassis to improve steering response, making the Rapide S very nimble for a two-ton car. Weight balance is a nearly perfect 51/49 front to rear.

Massive six-piston brakes ensure confident stopping. On the road, the Rapide S exudes an air of exotic rarity.

This is a four-door exotic rather than a performance bruiser, and that sometimes limits its enthusiasm for hard driving.

Prices

This is an Aston Martin, so things aren't going to come cheap. The marque is known for high-dollar price tags thanks to the extensive hand-crafting that goes into each of its vehicles, and the Rapide S is no exception. MSRP for the 2015 Rapide S is set at $203,295. There has been no announcement detailing how much of a premium the bespoke Dom Perignon Deuxieme Plenitude edition will add.

Competition

2014 Porsche Panamera

Unlike Aston Martin, Porsche->ke1 had to overcome the resistance of its loyalists when it fielded its sports sedan. The Panamera seems to have exceeded expectations and found itself a place as a legitimate Porsche, thanks to unmistakable looks, phenomenal handling and a twin-turbo version that offers supercar performance for a comparatively affordable price.

Read our full review here.

2014-2015 Maserati Quattroporte

Maserati’s->ke51 super-sedan distills the raw character of its sports cars with high luxury in an old-school way. V-8 power and a distinctly Italian style are the biggest draws, as well as exclusivity.

Read our full review here.

2014-2015 Bentley Flying Spur

The Flying Spur is a big slab of a car that still delivers eye-watering power from its twin-turbo W12. Bentley’s->ke15 bespoke program is also first-rate, offering buyers the ability to customize the car to suit just about anyone’s idea of “luxury.”

Read our full review here.

Conclusion

Among high-priced, high-performance sedans, the Aston Martin Rapide S cuts a dashing figure, and its bespoke program elevates it into Bentley's league. Though it can still be nipped in performance by lower-priced competition from Porsche and Mercedes,->ke187 the Rapide S is much more exclusive than either of them, a fact that's highlighted by limited-edition lifestyle models like this. Even if it ends up being just a one-off, the Rapide S Dom Perignon Deuxieme Plenitude does a great job of showing off what Aston Martin and its Q bespoke service are capable of.