The first electric car in Aston Martin’s 104-year history will be the RapidE. Only 155 examples of the electric saloon will be built and first customers will take delivery in 2019. To get a taste of how an electric Aston feels and sounds, Auto Express has been given closer look at the brand’s RapidE concept car.
Developed with the technical knowhow from Williams Advanced Engineering, the RapidE you see here isn’t a representation of how the finished model will drive – or even of how it’ll look. Aston says it’s ‘proof of concept’ – a statement of intent to show that the brand is serious about electrification. In fact, the first discussions about an electric Aston were held almost three years ago.
Final specifications and technical details about the production model will be given early next year, but we do know Aston is targeting a ‘real-world’ range of 200 miles, a 0-62mph time of less than four seconds and a top speed of 155mph. It will be rear wheel drive and have equivalent or superior performance levels than the current V12 Rapide S. Being an EV doesn’t mean compromise, according to Aston bosses.
The cabin of the concept is largely unchanged from a standard Rapide S, but bosses ensure there will be of a more bespoke feel to the production model. The only real question this concept allows us to answer is does an electric Aston Martin feel right? Does an electric powertrain make a fitting replacement for a brand famed for its raucous V8s and grand V12s?
Fundamentally the answer is yes. Power and noise may be two traits synonymous with Aston but refinement and luxury are another two – and these are the areas that are emphasized in the RapidE. Aside from the electrical whirr from the motors, it pulls away in complete silence, giving the saloon a real sense of elegance. Aston says the RapidE will be the world’s first luxury EV, and doesn’t even regard Tesla as a direct competitor.
Do we miss the sound of a gargling V12 under the bonnet? Not as much as you might think. Electric cars open up such a range of new traits, features and quirks that the lack of noise can often be just as appealing.
Evaluations on the ride, handling and performance will have to wait until we get behind the wheel of a production ready prototype, as we weren’t really able to get above 30mph in our brief run. The concept is also only powered by one electric motor, but the production version will have two.
It may seem a strange decision from Aston to develop one of its oldest models into an electric car, but that’s exactly the reason the Rapide was selected. Aston bosses know this car inside and out and will also use it as a learning process to improve development of the brand’s electric DBX crossover.
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