Aston Martin Plans Electric Car with 200-Mile Range

Aston Martin’s Rapide sports car is about to get an all-electric makeover. The British auto manufacturer recently announced plans for an all-wheel-drive electric version with a whopping 200-mile all-electric range. But that doesn’t mean the Rapide EV will lose any of its signature power or stunning good looks.

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer recently confirmed at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance that the Rapide EV will deliver 800-horsepower and will look strikingly similar to the current incarnation of the premium sports sedan. Fortunately, this isn’t just a concept car either. Aston is already testing a vehicle, and they’re pushing for a 2018 production run.

Now, the Two-Year Wait is on

At Naples Luxury Imports, customers have taken a keen interest in the 2015 Rapide V-120 sports sedan, which delivers 470 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. And we’re expecting as details emerge about the all-electric version, interest will be just as fierce. Here is what we know about the eventual Rapide EV:

Aston Martin Rapide EV: Specifications, Pricing and Release Date

Unfortunately, Palmer didn’t offer specifics about the drivetrain, or an ultimate release date. But we do know the plan is for a vehicle with at least 800 horsepower and a 200-mile all-electric range, with batteries developed by an established company like LG or Samsung.

Plus, it looks like the Rapide EV won’t be Aston’s only foray into the all-electric segment. Palmer said that Aston also has an all-electric version of its new crossover, the Aston Martin DBX, in the works, with plans to release it by or before 2020.

The manufacturer introduced the concept DBX EV earlier this year at the Geneva Auto Show, and details about the DBX EV are even more uncertain. Drivetrain specifications and interior styling haven’t yet been released, and we expect those further down the road as production gets closer.

Although pricing details weren’t provided, speculation has been that the Rapide EV would be similarly priced to the current non-electric mode, which starts north of $200,000.

Aston’s Foray Into Premium, Performance-Minded All-Electric Vehicles

Palmer talked a bit about Aston Martin’s interest in the premium electric segment, and there are a number of reasons. For one, increasing the brand’s offerings of all-electric vehicles, Palmer said, would help Aston meet emissions goals. In other words, with a variety of V-8 and V-12 sports cars in the line-up, Aston is looking to build out its electric line-up to meet governmental standards for manufacturer efficiency.

But there’s something more at play. The high-perform electric vehicle segment is exploding, and Aston Martin is poised to a major play in high-end legacy sports cars. Tesla Motors is working on a variety of electric sports cars, Palmer said, but he noted that Telsa isn’t a direct competitor.

Instead, Palmer noted that Aston Martin sees an opportunity for developing ultra-premium electric vehicles that carry on AM’s tradition of superior performance. At 800-horsepower, the Rapide EV would be in a class of its own, in terms of performance, styling and luxury amenities. It would be a powerful, supremely elegant four-door sports car – much like the current Rapide. And instead of a “technology play,” Aston Martin enthusiasts want a vehicle they can take to the track.