As much as we love the Aston Martin Rapide, we have to admit it's getting a bit long in the tooth. Aston recently revealed the Rapide AMR, which ups the V12 engine's output to 580 horsepower, but is still lagging behind far cheaper sedans from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes. We've known for quite a while that the V12-engined Rapide is a bit of a lame duck model for Aston, that will continue until it is replaced by an all-electric model. So far, we haven't heard much about Aston's upcoming EV - rumored to be called the RapidE - but company CEO Andy Palmer Tweeted a photo that gives us our first look at the EV sedan.
Unfortunately, the photo only shows the car's battery drivetrain, so we have no way of knowing if this new car will keep the styling of the old Rapide, or adopt the new looks of the DB11 or Vantage. Palmer also gave an explanation of the electric drivetrain, saying it will use "800v battery technology when launched end 2019. The higher voltage facilitates fast charging times as energy E=VxIxt (V is voltage, I is Current & t is time). Faster charge time t=E/(VxI) achieved by increasing Voltage. Nerdy but bloody good!" We'll put Palmer's words into simple English - the RapidE will charge faster than other EVs.
Palmer went on to say that Aston Martin will sell just 155 units of the car at the end of 2019, so we still have well over a year before the car actually arrives. He also added that more information is still to come, but the purpose of the car is to “have the ability to a have usable performance for laps of Nurburgring and a top speed of 155 mph.” Track range has been the Achilles heel of many EVs, but the RapidE will use kinetic energy and regenerative braking technology to help it lap a racetrack without running out of juice. Output figures haven't been announced, but rumors point to around 800 hp with a 200-mile range.
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