Ahead of the reveal of the new Aston Martin Rapide E, the Gaydon-based automaker has revealed a number of technical details about its first all-electric production vehicle.
As we’ve already reported, just 155 examples of the car – which has been developed with help from Williams Advanced Engineering – will be built, with customer deliveries expected in the fourth quarter of 2019.
So, here’s the low-down: the Rapide E will be powered by an 800-volt battery electrical architecture with 65 kWh installed capacity using more than 5 600 lithium-ion 18650 format cylindrical cells. These are mounted in a bespoke battery pack where the Rapide’s original 6,0-litre V12, transmission and fuel tank were located.
This battery system powers two rear-mounted electric motors (rendering the model rear-wheel drive) producing a combined “target output” of around 450 kW and 950 N.m. The Rapide E’s range target, meanwhile, is more than 320 km (under the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure).
Projected top speed for the Rapide E is 250 km/h, with a “sub-4,0-second” dash to three figures. Interestingly, Aston stresses that the target is for maximum performance on-demand throughout the majority of the battery state-of-charge window, as would be expected from a conventional internal combustion-engined car (this apparently includes the ability to drive a full lap of the Nürburgring with “absolutely no derating of the battery”).
The car’s exterior and underbody have also been aerodynamically optimised and complemented with newly designed aerodynamic wheels shod with (low rolling-resistance) Pirelli P Zero rubber.
“Environmental responsibility and sustainability is a global challenge faced by us all. As a career automotive engineer, I’m proud that the car industry is leading the way in finding long-term solutions and reducing harmful emissions,” said Andy Palmer, CEO Aston Martin.
“As Aston Martin’s CEO, I take particular satisfaction working with Williams Advanced Engineering and our other associated technology partners to bring Rapide E to reality. As our first all-electric production model, Rapide E will fast-track our knowledge and help us ensure the character and high-performance capabilities of our future EV models and enhance the unique qualities found in all Aston Martins as we know them today.
“Rapide E will also serve as a critical step on our path to re-launching Lagonda as the world’s first zero-emission luxury marque,” he added.
