Aston Martin Rapide E gets first public demonstration

Aston Martin has put the Rapide E, its first all-electric model, through its paces on the historic streets of Monaco.

For the car’s first public demonstration following its official launch at April’s Auto Shanghai expo, Darren Turner – Aston Martin’s works driver and a three-time winner of Le Mans – drove the Rapide E around the world-famous street circuit to showcase its performance credentials.

Touted as the most powerful Rapide model yet, the vehicle’s twin rear-mounted electric motors produce a combined power output of 612PS and 950Nm of torque.

All that power comes courtesy of the Rapide E’s bespoke 800V electric battery, which lies in the location of the original 6.0-litre V12, gearbox and fuel tank.

According to the manufacturer, the battery architecture provides significantly improved thermal characteristics and more efficient charging than other electrical power systems.

Official performance figures are currently unknown, but Aston Martin has previously stated the car has a projected top speed of 155mph, with an expected  0-60mph time of less than four seconds and a 50-70mph time of just 1.5 seconds.

The manufacturer has also stressed that these speeds and acceleration will be available at all times, rather than being limited to a strict window when the battery is fully charged.

Speaking after the test, Turner said: “The car has the kind of torque and punch that you’d expect from an EV, but they’ve really worked hard to retain the dynamic characteristics of what makes an Aston Martin special.

“Today feels like a real milestone in this company’s history and for me to be the first person to drive an all-electric Aston Martin publicly is an absolute honour, particularly here in Monaco.”

Only 155 units of the Rapide E will be available worldwide, with production set to commence in the final quarter of 2019 at the new Aston Martin Lagonda facility in south Wales.