Aston Martin has just revealed the ready-for-the-road version of its electric sedan. The Rapide E bowed in production form at Auto Shanghai today. It's the first electric Aston model, based on the Rapide sedan. The new car will be the first one built at the company's new factory in Wales, where all electric Astons will be put together.
The Rapide E uses an 800-volt electrical architecture, with a 65 kWh pack encased in carbon and kevlar. That battery is packed where the 5.9L V12 used to reside, as well as taking up the space vacated by the gearbox and fuel tank. The 800V pack allows it to charge up to 300 km of range per hour on a 400V 50kW fast-charger, and 500 km on an 800V outlet, once those ultra-fast chargers start to roll out.
The Rapide E gets a WLPT estimated range of "over 200 miles (324 km)" and can accept a full charge through a 220V outlet in about three hours.
Tractive force comes from a pair of electric motors mounted in the rear, which offer 610 hp and 701 lb-ft of torque. That's enough to shove the Rapide E to 100 km/h in under four seconds. Aston says it can do that throughout the range of state of charge and different climate conditions. Indeed, the automaker says it has the "ability to drive a full lap of the Nürburgring with no performance derating of the battery or the motors." That's about seven and a half minutes of one of the most gruelling racetracks in the world.
Other changes to electrify the Rapide include a new underfloor that streamlines air from the splitter to the rear diffuser, an underfloor no longer compromised by the need for an exhaust pipe. Forged alloys get bespoke Pirelli P-Zero tires that offer low rolling resistance.
Inside, there's a 10.0-inch digital display where the analogue gauges used to sit that delivers all of the electrical information. There's also carbon fibre throughout.
"As a car company we cannot afford to passively allow that future to come to us; we have to actively chase it. Only by doing this can we learn and prepare, but also preserve those things we love as drivers and car enthusiasts. That’s why it was so important to me that in embracing EV technology we should not let go of those unique qualities that define an Aston Martin," said company CEO Dr. Andy Palmer.
The Rapide E is also likely to sell Rapide-E-ly. That's because the automaker is only building 155 of them. Order books are open now, and they'll give you the price when you apply for one.
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