Aston Martin promised something special for its first all-electric car, and there’s no denying that the Rapide E is just that. The first pure EV from the
Aston Martin promised something special for its first all-electric car, and there’s no denying that the Rapide E is just that. The first pure EV from the storied British automaker, the four-door will be the first vehicle to leave Aston Martin’s new St Athan production facility, where it’s focusing its electrification efforts.
Clearly, the Rapide E shares plenty of design DNA with its gasoline-powered Rapide cousin. That’s no bad thing when you consider the sleek roofline of the sedan. The Rapide E adds a honeycomb front grille, and new venting since the EV requires less cooling than its gas equivalent.
In the process aerodynamics are up, something helped by a new underfloor design and a larger rear diffuser. Forged aluminum wheels have an aero-friendly design of their own, and are outfitted with low rolling-resistance tires specially designed for the Rapide E by Pirelli. Overall, in fact, Aston Martin says the car is 8-percent better at aerodynamic slipperiness than the gas car.
