Aston Martin Unveils All-Electric RapidE
RapidE is an all-electric concept version of the stately Rapide sedan, and it was shown off for the first time on October 21, at the same location as a meeting between British and Chinese heads of state.
Aston Martin hasn't revealed yet any specific details of this concept like range, power or potential cost. The concept was built in Oxfordshire, England, in conjunction with Williams Advanced Engineering, the engineering arm of the greater Williams empire. This team helps develop technology for Williams' Formula 1 team and has experience in the aerospace, defense and renewable energy fields as well.
Aston Martin also makes new Bond cars. Its DB10 GT will be featured in the upcoming installment of 007's adventures, "Spectre." That vehicle will not be available for purchase, but the company has released a special DB9 GT "Bond Edition."
Aston Martin has been selling Rapide since 2010. The car was built in Austria for the first two years, before returning to Aston Martin's Gaydon factory in England. For three years, a 470-horsepower, 12-cylinder engine powered the Rapide. Since 2013, a refreshed version of the Rapide -- the Rapide S -- boosted power output to 550 horsepower and replaced the old six-speed automatic transmission with an eight-speed unit. The car's retail price is $203,295 and be followed by an all-wheel-drive model capable of making 800 to 1,000 horsepower.
The proposed vehicle, the company said, will be offered as a production car, perhaps as early as 2017 said Andy Palmer, Aston Martin's chief executive.
The first version of the RapidE is to be a rear-wheel-drive car producing the equivalent of 560 horsepower and capable of going 200 miles between charges.
Palmer said in a statement, "We see luxury electric vehicles as an intrinsic part of our future product portfolio. ... The exciting RapidE concept tangibly demonstrates the capability and ambition of Aston Martin towards developing low- and zero-emission sports cars."
