Aston Martin has confirmed that its all-electric model, the RapidE, will go into production in 2019, as many manufacturers scramble to meet a self-imposed deadline of 2020 for electrification of its product lines.
Aston Martin will partner with Williams Advanced Engineering on the car, which is based on the Rapide AMR high-performance sedan. Like the Rapide AMR, the RapidE will also be built on a limited run, with just 155 electric cars coming off the line in 2019.
Unlike the AMR, the RapidE doesn’t have a V-12 under the hood, but an electric powertrain that has not been revealed yet. The production car is based on the concept introduced in the fall of 2015, which was also built in partnership with Williams.
“Williams Advanced Engineering has always endeavoured to work collaboratively with its customers to meet their sustainability challenges and find energy efficient solutions. For today’s car manufacturers, this is particularly important as legislation demands more energy efficient vehicles,” said Paul McNamara, Technical Director at Williams Advanced Engineering. “This project with Aston Martin will draw on the extensive battery and EV experience we have accumulated and we are extremely pleased to be supporting this prestigious British company with their future electrification strategy.”
Back in 2015, Aston Martin was promising a track-ready car based on the Rapide S, with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (using four electric motors) putting out from 800-1,000 hp. CEO Dr. Andy Palmer said it was reasonable to expect a range of over 320 km in rear wheel drive (and slightly less in AWD, which puzzled some people since electric cars should theoretically get more range when they use more motors
“RapidE represents a sustainable future in which Aston Martin’s values of seductive style and supreme performance don’t merely co-exist alongside a new zero-emission powertrain, but are enhanced by it,” said Palmer. “The internal combustion engine has been at the heart of Aston Martin for more than a century, and will continue to be for years to come. RapidE will showcase Aston Martin’s vision, desire and capability to successfully embrace radical change, delivering a new breed of car that stays true to our ethos and delights our customers.”