You aren’t going to see many of these on the highway. The Aston Martin Rapide E is a limited-run electric GT that bridges the gap between traditional luxury and high-voltage performance. Production is capped at just 155 units, starting in the fourth quarter of this year with a price tag of €279,000. Aston Martin has been busy testing pre-production prototypes during the Monaco Grand Prix, allowing the brand to gather data and secure preorders while the car navigates the tight corners of the Circuit de Monaco.
Under the Skin of the Electric GT
This isn’t just a rebadged sedan with a battery. The Rapide E is the electric counterpart to the V12-powered Rapide AMR. Aston Martin partnered with Williams Advanced Engineering to develop the powertrain, resulting in a setup that defies the weight penalty usually associated with EVs.
Two electric motors, built in England, drive the rear axle. They produce a combined 610 horsepower and 950 Nm of torque. Aston Martin claims the Rapide E is the most powerful model in the Rapide lineage. Official figures put the top speed at 250 km/h and the 0-100 km/h sprint at under four seconds.
During the Monaco demonstrations, the company noted that the prototype only used 75% of its available power. That restraint was likely a strategy to preserve battery life during repeated laps, but it hints at a performance reserve that exceeds the advertised specs.
Battery Tech and Charging Reality
The heart of the Rapide E is an 800-volt, 65 kWh battery pack. This architecture allows for rapid energy transfer, targeting an autonomy of up to 322 kilometers under the WLTP cycle.
Let’s be realistic about that range. While 322 km sounds substantial, the instant torque and heavy chassis will likely consume energy faster than a standard sedan. You won’t be able to floor the accelerator for the entire trip if you want to hit that number.
Charging is where the 800V system shines. A fast charger can restore 80% of the battery’s range in just 35 minutes. For home charging, a standard outlet will take about 3.5 hours for a full charge. That’s surprisingly quick for a vehicle of this size and performance level.
The Final Chapter for Rapide
The Rapide E holds a specific place in Aston Martin’s history. It is the last car to wear the Rapide name before the marque shifts focus. Starting in 2022, the brand is preparing to launch the new Lagonda range, which will be entirely electric.
The Rapide E serves as a technological proving ground. It proves Aston Martin can build a high-performance electric vehicle that doesn’t compromise on driving dynamics. It’s a bridge to the future, built in small numbers for those who want to own a piece of automotive transition history.
The prototype laps in Monaco were more than just marketing stunts. They were stress tests for a system that needs to perform under extreme conditions. The data gathered there will likely influence not just the Rapide E, but the broader electric strategy for Lagonda.
155 cars. That’s it. Once they’re gone, they
