Aston Martin has released teaser sketches of its first electric vehicle, the 2019 RapidE, based on the Rapide four-door sedan.
Although the car was initially confirmed to offer 320km of range, technology and market demands might dictate a more generous amount by the time the 600kW EV is launched.
155 RapidE’s are to be built, meaning Aston’s first electric car won’t be a high-volume exercise. However, the advent of the DBX crossover and proliferation of the Lagonda range is expected to enrich Aston’s presence in the EV field.
The picture shows the car will be based on the outgoing Rapide, based on the VH aluminium architecture that debuted with the 2004 DB9. By then, the Rapide will be the last remaining car on that platform, after the DB11 and replacement Vantage have switched to Aston’s latest architecture.
Blue stripes and grille accents show just one possible combination on the new car, while bonnet vents and grilles – traditionally functional to cool the 5.9-litre V12 – are replaced with plastic or mesh to denote the car’s switch to a more modern energy source.
An earlier report that Aston Martin had teamed up with LeEco to collarboate on this project has come undone as Aston will no longer be collaborating with the brand. Full details about the RapidE are expected to come when the car is revealed within the next year.
