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Aston Martin's all-electric Rapide E is a 604HP leap into the future
No more teasing -- Aston Martin has finally revealed its first all-electric car. The Rapide E swaps out a V12 engine for an 800V, 65 kWh battery system and twin rear motors with 604 hp and 700 pound-feet of torque. There will only be 155 units produced, "with prices available on application" and along with Williams, the carmaker has packed an aging frame with plenty of reasons to try this one out.
Aston Martin's first electric sedan quietly rolls into view
Earlier this week, Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer tweeted out a very important moment for his company: the first time its Rapide E prototype drove off under its own power. It's the company's first electric car, designed under a mandate to "retain and enhance the feel, character and delivery of the V12-engined Rapide S." It will do that with a groundbreaking 800V battery system compatible with DC fast chargers, as well as twin electric motors driving all four wheels with the equivalent of 602HP to a projected top speed of 155 MPH. You can watch it slowly roll across the parking lot in a video below, giving a look at the car beyond design drawings, concept models and sneak peeks. You might miss the roar of a petrol-powered V12, but even then, at least there's a parking lot full of Aston Martins in view as well. Palmer also referred to "another piece of Aston Martin history" that was made on the 21st, but so far has not revealed what that is. The Rapide E is supposed to go on sale in the fourth quarter of this year, so we should see more of it in motion soon.
Aston Martin offers peek at all-electric Rapide E sedan
Aston Martin is nearly ready to unveil its first purely electric road car after years of work. The company has provided an early look at the Rapide E, an EV edition of its high-performance luxury sedan. It's not providing complete visuals (just the powertrain and a peek at one of the wheel areas), but it is promising a machine that's both speedy and practical. Its dual motors will deliver the equivalent of 602HP and 701ft/lb of torque, translating to a 155MPH top speed, a sub-4.0-second 0-60MPH time and a 50-70MPH time of 1.5 seconds -- quick given that the Rapide isn't exactly a diminutive car. Its 65kWh battery should deliver a range over 200 miles (on the WLTP testing standard), and its support for 100kW "or higher" charging should top you up in less than an hour.
Aston Martin is developing a plug-in hybrid and an electric vehicle
If you've ever wanted to feel like a more eco-friendly Bond behind the wheel, then Aston Martin is about to make your dreams come true. The automaker has revealed at the New York Auto Show that it's working on both a plug-in and an electric vehicle. That plug-in is none other than the DBX crossover vehicle (pictured above) that we saw in early March as a full electric car. Unlike the concept showcased in Geneva, it will have four doors instead of two; plus, the automaker's still adjusting its overall dimensions to make it roomier inside. While it will debut as a plug-in, CEO Andy Palmer says that if the company proves electric works, then it "would be a nice place to go."
