Aston Martin’s first ever all-electric car is finally here. The British automaker finally joined the world of electric mobility by debuting the Rapide E at 2019 Shanghai Motor Show. The electric car is based on the current combustion engine powered four-door Aston Martin Rapide sedan and looks near identical to it, except for some design elements that its electric powertrain. On the outside, the EV features electric blue accents in the headlights, on the brake caliper and the front bumper. Inside the cabin, the car is equipped with a 10-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and an 8-inch display mounted on top of the center of the dashboard.
The Aston Martin Rapide E is powered by an 800-volt, 65kWh battery system which promises a range of over “200 miles” on a single charge. The battery pack powers a pair of motors mounted on the rear axle that generate 450kW (over 600 horsepower). It is enough to rocket the electric sedan from zero to 60mph in under 4 seconds and help it reach a top speed of 155mph. The battery pack is encased in a carbon fiber and Kevlar shell to keep weight down. However, since the car was not developed as an electric car from the ground up, the battery system is fitted in the space where the standard gasoline-powered version’s V12 engine, gearbox, and fuel tank are located. Aston Martin will make only 155 examples of the electric car which will be built in the village of St. Athan in South Wales. The company, however, hasn’t revealed the pricing as of yet.
[Via:TheVerge]
