Aston Martin reveals technical details for its first electric car

Aston Martin has confirmed technical details for its first electric car, which is set to go into production in 2019.

The Rapide E will be powered by an 800V, 65kWh battery system that can develop 602bhp and 950Nm of torque – in place of the regular Rapide’s 6.0-litre V12 internal combustion engine – with power sent to the rear wheels.

As a result, the luxury firm predicts a sub-four-second 0-60mph time with a 155mph top speed. Aston also claims it can complete a lap of the Nürburgring without the battery being seriously affected by the hard driving.

On top of this, it confirmed a 200-mile range target on the NEDC cycle – with the system capable of charging at a rate of 185 miles of range per hour using a 40kW charger, while a 100kW charger can increase that to 310 per hour.

The firm also says the Rapide E has seen some bodywork enhancements to ‘achieve higher levels of aerodynamic, frictional loss and cooling performance over the standard Rapide S’.

Just 155 examples of the Aston Martin Rapide E are to be built at the firm’s St Athan plant, which is currently under construction. Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but deliveries are expected to begin towards the end of next year.

Yesterday, Aston Martin announced that the St Athan plant would be its home of electrification, housing the all-electric Lagonda brand and producing the Rapide E. Andy Palmer, the company’s president and group chief executive, said: “Aston Martin sees itself as a future leader in the development of zero-emission technologies, and I am delighted that St Athan will be our ‘Home of Electrification’ for both the Aston Martin and Lagonda brands.

“The Rapide E will spearhead development of Aston Martin’s low- and zero-emission vehicle strategy. With the reintroduction of the Lagonda brand, this is a demonstration of how electrification features prominently in our business plan.”