Is an Electric Aston Martin Blasphemy?
Aston Martins are known for the harmonious sound of their perfectly furious naturally aspirated motors. But is electrification the future for the British brand?
Shut the V12 Up
Before mentioning anything else, we should mention the simple fact that Aston Martin is known for two things: sights and sounds. Famous for using V12s in iconic machines like the Vantage and DB7, Aston Martins are as much about their gorgeous looks as they are about the wailing sound and unfortunately, that disappears in electric vehicles. Removing the soundtrack from one of these British racers is like taking LeBron James out of the game.
Image courtesy of Theverge.com
Rare Run for Little Performance
The company has announced that this EV will have a limited run of 155 units at a price of $250,000. For this price, you’d expect it to be miles faster than a Tesla and miles better, but it isn’t. A sub 4 second 0-60 time has been claimed, which likely means it’s slower in a straight line than a Tesla Model S P100D and costs almost $100,000 more. The quality and luxury of Aston Martin are undeniable, but are they enough to justify the price tag?
>>Join the conversation about the Aston Martin Rapide E right here in the 6SpeedOnline Forum!
It Does Look Good
For something that goes against all things holy in the land of motoring, the Rapide E does look good. If there’s one complaint no one has ever had, it’s that Aston Martin doesn’t kill it in the design department. This car is sleek and intimidating for a vehicle in this market segment. Dive deeper than the surface, however, and the whole thing is a bit hard to justify unless you really love Aston Martins.
>>Join the conversation about the Aston Martin Rapide E right here in the 6SpeedOnline Forum!
Lugging Weight Around
Acceleration times are easy in electric cars with tremendous torque available instantaneously. One thing no one likes to mention is how big these cars really are. The Rapide E isn’t going to be a featherweight. But it would be interesting to see how the driving experience compares against its internal combustion brother.
Overall, is the idea of an EV Aston Martin missing the mark? What do you think?
