Rapide [Official] Aston Martin RapidE concept

[Rainer271]

Aston Martin RapidE concept unveiled

Aston Martin RapidE concept
Aston Martin RapidE concept unveiled
Aston Martin has unveiled their new RapidE concept.

Based on the Rapide S, the RapidE is an electric vehicle that was jointly developed with Williams Advanced Engineering.

Aston Martin declined to release technical specifications but the company announced they are exploring the possibility of a production variant with Chinese investment group ChinaEquity. If the model is green-lighted, it will be built in the United Kingdom and be launched in approximately two years.

In a statement, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said “The exciting RapidE concept tangibly demonstrates the capability and ambition of Aston Martin towards developing low- and zero-emission sports cars.”

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Aston Martin RapidE concept unveiled

 

[Giannis]

jointly developed with Williams Advanced Engineering

Any connection with the Williams of the Clio Williams?

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Any connection with the Williams of the Clio Williams?

Yes, it's one and the same. It's part of the Williams F1 group.

 

[Human]

An Aston without the iconic exhaust sound!? You will think that hearing has failed you and that you are experiencing sudden deafness!

 

[sako97]

Rapide S is dead... Long live RapidE

In a sign of the times, premium sports car company Aston Martin has signed the death warrant for its petrol-powered Rapide sports sedan, which will be replaced by an EV.

The confirmation same from Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer, who told motoring.com.au “The Rapide as a car by itself disappears, [but] the four-door market is covered in a different way.”


The V12-powered cruise missile will be directly replaced by an electric-only powertrain in 2018, dubbed the RapidE, and indirectly by the DBX crossover and Lagonda luxury sedan.

“So obviously there’s a platform for the electric Rapide, so it has life in front of it, but the Rapide as you see it today is also going to be replaced by the DBX on one hand and the Lagonda on the other,” said Palmer.

First launched back in 2010, the Rapide is the world’s fastest four-door vehicle, and the new Rapide AMR version will be capable of 338km/h thanks to its thumping 6.0-litre 440kW V12.

But that vehicle’s beefy V12, it seems, doesn’t measure up for future emissions regulations and will be replaced by the DBX and Lagonda vehicles from 2020.

And the RapidE?

“It’s coming 2018. It’s around the corner,” said the Aston CEO.

That vehicle is expected to develop a neck-snapping 600kW or 800hp from its electric motors to give the Tesla Model S something to think about. The company has not divulged official figures but the battery-powered Aston Martin is tipped to have a cruising range of around 320km, depending on driving style.

The engineering behind the electric powertrain is being handled by Williams Advanced Engineering, which is affiliated with the Williams Formula 1 team, and development costs are being partly shouldered by ChinaEquity, one of the largest private merchant banks in what is the world’s largest new car market today.

Aston is expecting to make big inroads in China with this vehicle and the upcoming DBX crossover.

“We don’t have any diesel but diesels are definitely persona non grata these days. The next thing you will see is that some cities demand you have an electric car on certain days,” said Palmer.

“And remember Rapide is originally a nameplate of Lagonda,” he said, confirming we’ll see more Lagonda models in the mid-term future, expected from around 2020.

The axing of Aston Martin’s biggest, heaviest and most accommodating vehicle will give the likes of the newd Porsche Panamera and upcoming Mercedes-AMG GT four-door sports cars more room to move, and Palmer concurred there will be crestfallen customers who will miss the Rapide.

“But hopefully they like their Lagonda, or they can go for the DBX, so we’re giving them more choice,” he said.

Aston Martin is one of the first car-makers to kill off a petrol-powered vehicle in favour of an electric one, but you can bet your bottom dollar it won’t be the last to do so.

http://www.motoring.com.au/aston-martin-rapide-axed-106479/

The Rapide was gorgeous and sounded great, but these were the only endearing qualities. The sharp front windshield rake, tiny interior volume, high center tunnel, and early 2000's technology made it fail as a saloon. For years it was the worst sellling 4 door luxury car - worldwide.

I was a big fan of the looks when it first came out, but I was very disappointed when i went on an extended test drive. My head was resting on the ceiling with the seat at the lowest setting, every single bump and rock chip was felt, and the only interior tech was the half-baked B&O sound system.

 

[slicknick]

Rapide S is dead... Long live RapidE


The Rapide was gorgeous and sounded great, but these were the only endearing qualities. The sharp front windshield rake, tiny interior volume, high center tunnel, and early 2000's technology made it fail as a saloon. For years it was the worst sellling 4 door luxury car - worldwide.

I was a big fan of the looks when it first came out, but I was very disappointed when i went on an extended test drive. My head was resting on the ceiling with the seat at the lowest setting, every single bump and rock chip was felt, and the only interior tech was the half-baked B&O sound system.

Too bad it was not a very good car, sounded absolutely glorious every time I encountered one on the road

 

[bialkov]

Aston Martin Rapide E

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

So is it on the current, antiquated VH platform and, if it is, how are they "optimizing" it for electric use?