Aston Martin has revealed the production version of its first all-electric production car, the Rapide E, at the Shanghai auto show in China. It’s the first car to be built at the marque’s new St. Athan factory, was co-developed with Williams Advanced Engineering, and will serve as James Bond’s ride in his next filmic adventure.
Limited to 155 units, the Rapide E features an 800-volt battery system and a range of more than 200 miles according to Europe’s WLTP procedure. (The range will be less in the U.S. per the EPA’s less optimistic testing.) It can be charged with a 400-volt, 50-kW charger, or an 800-volt, 100-kW fast charger can take advantage of a high-power AC onboard charger to rejuice the batteries in three hours, Aston says.
The car is bookended by a honeycomb grille up front and—thanks to the lack of exhaust plumbing to worry about—a larger rear diffuser than the regular Rapide sedan. The battery pack is located under the hood in place of the normal Rapide’s V-12, and it extends both into the transmission tunnel and former fuel-tank location. It’s encased in carbon fiber and Kevlar for maximum protection and sends electrons to twin rear-mounted electric motors that deliver a combined output of 602 horsepower and 701 lb-ft of torque. Top speed is 155 mph, while the 0–60-mph time is said to be less than 4 seconds.
Aston Martin states that the Rapide E has the ability to drive a full hot lap of the Nürburgring on a single charge, while the electric powertrain offers three driving modes, including GT, Sport, and Sport+. Further, the spring and damper rates are revised and a limited-slip differential is fitted at the rear. The idea, Aston says, was to mimic the handling of the gas-fed Rapide AMR.
The Rapide E rolls on forged aluminum wheels and low-resistance Pirelli P Zero rubber. The cabin is outfitted with a new 10.0-inch digital display in lieu of analog gauges, and there is plenty of carbon fiber trim throughout to reinforce its sporty intentions.
The Rapide E is available to order now, and its maker says you get to know the price when you apply to own one. Suffice it to say it won’t be cheap, but if you miss out, perhaps you’ll want to ask Aston to perform one of its EV conversions on your classic model instead.
Though the Rapide E will be the first all-electric Aston, the British marque will continue to propagate EVs through its Lagonda brand, which has a battery-electric sedan and SUV lined up for 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Source: Aston Martin
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