A Green Shoot Emerges From the Aston Martin Rapide's Grave

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Aston Martin’s Rapide, a super-sedan created by stretching the DB9, is essentially dead, with the last remaining examples of the limited-run Rapide AMR finding deep-pocketed buyers. And yet, like Frankenstein’s monster, the Rapide lives on, having had its V12 heart replaced by something altogether new.

Aston Martin has a “new” electric car to show off at Auto Shanghai 2019. It’s a discontinued Rapide converted to electric power and saddled with the Rapide E name, and it can be yours for a considerable sum of money. It’s anything but a green car for the masses.

Boasting more power than even the Rapide AMR, the Rapide E generates 601 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque from a pair of rear-mounted electric motors, fed by a 65 kWh battery pack shoehorned into the vacant space left by the missing V12, transmission, and fuel tank.

An 800-volt electrical system allows the fastest of fast charging, aiding well-heeled and impatient buyers who’ve used up their roughly 200 miles of driving range. Yes, some EVs with smaller battery packs can go further on a charge, but are they an Aston Martin? Got that right.

“Unveiling the Rapide E will be a huge moment for Aston Martin,” said CEO Andy Palmer in a statement. “As our first all-electric production car, it is a truly historic step. One that signals Aston Martin is prepared for the huge challenge of an environmentally responsible and sustainable future.”

The Rapide’s hefty battery pack meant engineers were forced to shave weight elsewhere, lest the car become an overheavy, low-range joke. Heavy use of carbon fiber and alloys in certain body panels and components reduced mass while no doubt raising the car’s price. Spring and damper rates saw revisions to handle the additional heft.

All of this work resulted in a car capable of reaching 60 mph in under 4 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph. Attempt to reach that number and you’ll risk going dark in a hurry, not to mention incurring exorbitant fines from your local law enforcement officer.

Should you be one of the 155 buyers of this limited-edition EV, you’ll enjoy three drive modes (GT, Sport, and Sport+), model-specific aero wheels, and a unique mesh grille to help differentiate it from your neighbor’s Rapide. There’s also blue flourishes inside and out.

As for price, you’ll have to contact Aston Martin about that. Given that the Rapide AMR topped $200k, you’re looking spending at a lot of green to go green. Orders are already open.

[Images: Aston Martin]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Hummer Hummer on Apr 16, 2019

    Lame, a V12 is a reason to spend $100k+. A EV with 200 miles range can be found at the back of the Chevrolet dealerships between the cars waiting to be serviced and the cars already serviced. It would bring just as much joy to drive for $150k less.

  • Inside Looking Out Inside Looking Out on Apr 16, 2019

    I would rather take Revero - real electric exotic which is better looking too.

  • El scotto Oh, ye nattering nabobs of negativism! Think of countries like restaurants. Our neighbors to the north and south are almost as good and the service is fantastic. They're awfully close to being as good as the US. Oh the Europeans are interesting and quaint but you really only go there a few times a year. Gents, the US is simply the hottest restaurant in town. Have to stand in line to get in? Of course. Can you hand out bribes to get in quicker? Of course. Suppliers and employees? Only the best on a constant basis.Did I mention there is a dress code? We strictly enforce it. Don't like it? Suck it.
  • 1995 SC At least you can still get one. There isn't much for Ford folks to be happy about nowadays, but the existence of the Mustang and the fact that the lessons from back in the 90s when Ford tried to kill it and replace it with the then flavor of the day seem to have been learned (the only lessons they seem to remember) are a win not only for Ford folks but for car people in general. One day my Super Coupe will pop its headgaskets (I know it will...I read it on the Internet). I hope I will still be physically up to dropping the supercharged Terminator Cobra motor into it. in all seriousness, The Mustang is a.win for car guys.
  • Lorenzo Heh. The major powers, military or economic, set up these regulators for the smaller countries - the big guys do what they want, and always have. Are the Chinese that unaware?
  • Lorenzo The original 4-Runner, by its very name, promised something different in the future. What happened?
  • Lorenzo At my age, excitement is dangerous. one thing to note: the older models being displayed are more stylish than their current versions, and the old Subaru Forester looks more utilitarian than the current version. I thought the annual model change was dead.
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