Aston Martin launches limited edition Rapide E
Aston Martin CEO, Marek Reichman, took to the stage at Auto Shanghai to reveal his company’s first fully electric model, the Rapid E. The zero-emission luxury car is to have a strictly limited production run of 155 units and will be delivered to customers later this year.
It seems the British carmaker has given the electric version of the classic luxury car a number of improvements over its older sister. The Rapide E features a front end redesigned from the standard Rapide to aid cooling and aerodynamics. The removal of the exhaust system has made it possible to put a new, larger rear diffuser in the underfloor, directing airflow from the front splitter. The new aerodynamic package apparently brings 8% less drag. Another upgrade in the electric model is the 10-inch digital instrument display for information on battery charge level, motor power levels, regenerative braking and energy usage. The extensive use of carbon fibre throughout the cabin has been used to help reduce weight.
Needless to say, the luxury sports car is not slow. It has a top speed of 250 kph and can reach 100 kph in less than 4 seconds. The total system output is 610 PS and 950 Nm. The 800 V system can charge at 100 kW or more. Rapid E’s electric propulsion system fits into the space left by the removal of the original 6.0-litre V12 engine with a rear-wheel drive with two motors. These are powered by a 65 kWh battery (5,600 lithium-ion cells of the 18650 type), that gives the car a range of 320 km under WLTP cycle. These details were already released in the latter half of last year, but the car’s price is only available upon request.
The model is a significant step for Aston Martin in two ways: it represents the first electric car in the UK and it is the first model to emerge from the brand’s new “Home of Electrification” in St. Athan, Wales.
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