THE NEW, BATTERY-POWERED ASTON MARTIN RAPIDE E HAS OVER 602BHP

Aston Martin has released the initial technical details of its first all-electric model, the Rapide E, and it promises consistent power output of 602bhp even on half-charged batteries.

The Aston Martin Rapide E has landed. Although we won’t see it in full for a little while longer, we can now bring you most of the best details.

Built on the existing Rapide chassis with all of the greasy drivetrain bits removed, the E uses a pair of electric motors at the back to create a hefty 602bhp rear-wheel drive, limited-slip diff-equipped punch, although Aston says it may end up being a few horses more than that.

As such it’s the most powerful Rapide ever. It’s good for 155mph and will crack 62mph from rest in under four seconds and sprints from 50-70mph in just 1.5 seconds. It should handle, too, weight distribution is boosted because the batteries are placed where the engine used to be, while the motors sit at the back.

The 701lb ft monster can travel over 200 miles per charge in ideal circumstances. Charging of the 65kWh battery pack is taken care of by an 800-volt electrical system along the same lines as the one being used by the Volkswagen Group in the Porsche Taycan and the as-yet-unnamed Audi R8 successor. At full chat, an 800v, 100kW charger can replenish 310 miles of range per hour.

Interestingly, Aston Martin seems to have taken a pop at other EV makers like Tesla, whose cars only perform at their peak when the batteries are fully charged. The Rapide E, we’re told, will deliver the same performance over “the majority of” its battery charge range. There’s said to be no degradation over a maximum-attack full lap of the Nurburgring.

Aerodynamic improvements will be made over the Rapide S, while revised spring and damper rates are tuned for the different weight and power delivery characteristics. Customer deliveries, limited to 155 in number, will start at the end of 2019.

What are your thoughts on the new Aston Martin Rapide E?