- Limited to just 155 units.
- First pure electric model from Aston Martin.
- Features an 800V battery pack with 600bhp and 950Nm.
Aston Martin has finally revealed the production-ready iteration of its first all-electric production car – the Rapide E. The first car to be built at Aston Martin’s new St Athan production facility, the Rapide E is the first product from the carmaker’s Lagonda sub-brand. It has been developed in collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) and has a production run strictly limited to 155 units.
The Rapide E distinguishes itself from the standard one with a new honeycomb front grille, akin to the one seen on DBS Superleggera. There is a redesigned underfloor which streamlines airflow from the front splitter all the way through to the new rear diffuser. The Gaydon-based carmaker claims that the E’s aerodynamic package is improved by eight per cent over the standard car. Even the bespoke low rolling-resistance Pirelli P-Zero tyres are wrapped around aerodynamic wheels to make the Rapide E as slippery as possible, thus improving the electric range.
The cabin is a huge leap over the ageing Rapide with all the modern day connectivity and safety equipment. The analogue meters are replaced by digital screens that give out every little detail about the electric powertrain. It also gets smart key that gives out details of the car. There is a generous use of carbon fibre all around in order to keep the weight down.
Under the skin, the Rapide E is powered by an 800V electrical architecture battery – encased in carbon fibre and Kevlar casing – with a 65kWh output. This bespoke battery pack sits where the original 6.0-litre V12 used to be, feeding two rear-mounted electric motors, thus producing a combined power of over 600bhp and a colossal 950Nm of twisting force. As a result, top speed is 155mph (250kmph), with a sub-4.0 second 0-100kmph time. Aston Martin also claims that the Rapide E is capable of doing a full lap of the Nurburgring with no performance derating of the battery or the motors. The range is claimed to be over 200miles (350kilometres) under the WLTP cycle.
The Aston Martin Rapide E is on sale now with prices available on application only. It enters into the fray against the Tesla Model S but will face new competition in the form of Porsche Taycan in a few months’ time.
