Aston Martin has revealed details – and very artfully disguised teaser pictures – of its first electric car, which is set to go into production next year.
The Rapide E will be powered by an 800V, 65kWh battery system that can develop 602bhp and 950Nm of torque – replacing the regular Rapide’s 6.0-litre V12 internal combustion engine – and will send power to the rear wheels.
As a result, the luxury car maker predicts a sub-four-second 0-60mph time with a 155mph top speed. Aston Martin also claims it can complete a lap of the Nürburgring without the battery’s power output being seriously diminished by the hard driving.
On top of this, it confirmed a 200-mile range target on the new NEDC cycle, which is designed to reflect real-world driving. Its battery system is capable of charging at a rate of 185 miles of range per hour using a 40kW charger, while a 100kW charger can increase that to 310 per hour – meaning a full charge will take less than 45 minutes.
The firm also says the Rapide E has seen some bodywork enhancements to ‘achieve higher levels of aerodynamic, frictional loss and cooling performance over the standard Rapide S’.
Just 155 examples of the Aston Martin Rapide E are to be built at the firm’s St Athan plant, which is currently under construction. Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but deliveries are expected to begin towards the end of next year.
This week, Aston Martin announced the St Athan plant will be its home of its electrification projects, housing the all-electric Lagonda brand and producing the Rapide E. Andy Palmer, the company’s president and group chief executive, said: “Aston Martin sees itself as a future leader in the development of zero-emission technologies, and I am delighted that St Athan will be our ‘Home of Electrification’ for both the Aston Martin and Lagonda brands.
“The Rapide E will spearhead development of Aston Martin’s low- and zero-emission vehicle strategy. With the reintroduction of the Lagonda brand, this is a demonstration of how electrification features prominently in our business plan.”
