Aston Martin is best known for its luxury sports cars but the company has been working on a fully electric sedan which it says has been engineered to “retain and enhance the feel, character and delivery of the V12-engined Rapide S.” The company’s CEO Andy Palmer tweeted a milestone moment for the upcoming vehicle recently. The video shows its Rapide E prototype driving under its own power for the very first time.
This also happens to be Aston Martin’s first fully electric car. It will be able to follow through on its promise of making customers feel they’re in a V12-engined Rapide S with an impressive 800V battery system that’s compatible with DC fast chargers. It will also have twin electric motors to deliver the equivalent of 602 horsepower and a top speed of 155 miles per hour.
The video tweeted out by the CEO shows the prototype slowly making its way across a parking lot. It’s not doing high speed runs or lighting up its rear tyres, but at least we know now that Aston Martin has reached the point in the development of this vehicle which ensures that it will be able to drive under its own power.
Further information about this electric sedan will be confirmed closer to its launch. Aston Martin is expected to launch it at some point in the fourth quarter of this year.
A moment of @astonmartin history. First Validation Prototype Aston Martin RapideE moves under its own power for the very first time with its breakthrough 800v battery. Great work from the development team which includes Williams Engineering. pic.twitter.com/b2mRaeCsNP
— Andy Palmer (@AndyatAston) January 21, 2019
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