Aston Martin Rapide E EV isn't as POWERFUL as promised in 2015

Aston Martin Rapide E EV lets out a few of its spec secrets

The Aston Martin Rapide E – Aston’s electric take on the four-door Rapide – will get 602bhp from a pair of electric motors and a range of 200 miles.

Aston Martin have been talking about an electric version of the Rapide four-door for some time, and a few years ago Andy Palmer declared it would get 800bhp and four-wheel drive. But it seems not.

As the first electric car from Aston Martin – a precursor to electric Lagondas from 2020 on – the Rapide E will be built at AML’s St Athan plant and arrive in 2019, although it’s pretty much a ‘pilot’ plan for AML with just 155 being built.

With production nearing, Aston Martin has revealed a bit of what the Rapide E will offer and, although impressive, it’s not as impressive or appealing as the 800bhp and 4WD originally promised.

There will be a pair of electric motors, but they’ll both drive the back axle – so no 4WD – and they will deliver 602bhp and 738lb/ft of torque, enough, say Aston, for a sub-4 second 0-62mph sprint.

Aston are promising that the Rapide E’s performance won’t be a one-hit wonder but will be achieved through almost any state of battery charge, and be repeatable. We wonder where that comment is pointed?

Batteries for the Rapide E will come from Hyperbat – the new Williams and Unipart venture – with an 800v architecture allowing an hourly charge rate of 185 miles even on a 50kW 400v charger, and up to 310 miles per hour on an 800v charger delivering 100kW or more. Range is said to be around 200 miles.

Andy Palmer said:

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.

First customer delivers of the Aston Martin Rapide E are planned for Q4 2019.