Rapide E - thoughts?

[nite_narc]

Link to Top Gear as it's a more succinct summary of the launch.

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/aston-ma...

Good use of an older model or a waste of time entirely?

[woodsypedia]

I’m a fan. Don’t get me wrong - I love the V8’s and V12’s, but times are changing. If this helps Aston survive then I’m 100% aboard.

I think they’ve chosen a good platform for it - and for a first foray - at least it looks good. I think 200 mile range is likely hugely optimistic - which makes it pretty poor in the grand scheme - but it’s a start.

Chris.

[67Dino]

Pleased Aston are moving with the times but really underwhelmed with this. It’s basically a ‘horseless carriage’: a form built around old ICE function (long bonnet, large radiator, etc). Reminds of the MG RV8: an old design being reused, not a new one. Should have been a concept, not production, car and hopefully there is a more genuinely innovative model in the pipeline.

[anonymous-user]

The centre console from the AMR is a nice touch. What's really nice IMO, the dials - that's a nice middle ground between the old and new way of doing things:



Whether folks will prefer that kind of look over what's in the Vantage / DB11 / DBSS, time will tell. Overall I think it's a great piece of re-engineering a classy, timeless car, bringing it up to date while not losing the traditional looks.

[oilit]

I seem to remember being told late last year that the dealer thought it's something like £250k+ does that sound right anyone know?

[Jon39]

67Dino said:

Pleased Aston are moving with the times but really underwhelmed with this. It’s basically a ‘horseless carriage’: a form built around old ICE function (long bonnet, large radiator, etc). Reminds of the MG RV8: an old design being reused, not a new one. Should have been a concept, not production, car and hopefully there is a more genuinely innovative model in the pipeline.

The concept for this car was announced on 21 October 2015, so quite some time ago.

More recently, the Lagonda (to be the Group's electric brand) electric concepts have have been announced, with designs which do recognise the traditional bonnet space is no longer needed for the motor.

Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 16th April 08:09

[dbs2000]

Love it, it's great to see AM moving into this sector. I'd like to see more information on the battery pack location, a few more interior shots and also what the drive shaft tunnel is being used for.

[Jon39]

dbs2000 said:

..... and also what the drive shaft tunnel is being used for.

As the electric power unit of this model is still located under the bonnet, then presumably there is a drive shaft to the back wheels.

I don't know how much has changed since the concept, but here is the original underbonnet photograph and the latest photo.

Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 16th April 09:13

[V12Manual]

But only 155 to be built? Not accessible then...

[dbs2000]

Jon39 said:

As the electric power unit of this model is still located under the bonnet, then presumably there is a drive shaft to the back wheels.

I don't know how much has changed since the concept, but here is the original underbonnet photograph and the latest photo.

Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 16th April 09:13

This is why I'd like to know. It'd be madness to turn a driveshaft with the electric motor, why introduce inefficiency?

[Manx V8V]

dbs2000 said:

This is why I'd like to know. It'd be madness to turn a driveshaft with the electric motor, why introduce inefficiency?

Indeed, hub motors are the way to go, no need for a drive train with all the associated moving parts and frictional losses.

Likewise a traditional battery pack is early tech, these are now being incorporated into the floor pan a few mm thick but over a large area rather than a lump placed somewhere in the vehicle.

Edited by Manx V8V on Tuesday 16th April 11:41

[dbzen]

I actually heard more like £350k!

oilit said:

I seem to remember being told late last year that the dealer thought it's something like £250k+ does that sound right anyone know?

[ShemsuHor]

dbs2000 said:

Jon39 said:

As the electric power unit of this model is still located under the bonnet, then presumably there is a drive shaft to the back wheels.

I don't know how much has changed since the concept, but here is the original underbonnet photograph and the latest photo.

Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 16th April 09:13

This is why I'd like to know. It'd be madness to turn a driveshaft with the electric motor, why introduce inefficiency?

Yes, the tech description doesn't make sense.....

"A total of 601bhp and 700lb ft of torque is produced, which is quite a lot indeed. This is sent rearwards and rearwards only, to a pair of electric motors recording some very intriguing times."

If your motors are on each of the rear wheels then you don't have to send the generated torque to the rear, it's already generated right there.

[anonymous-user]

A nice piece by Carfection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxfK05HJ2g4

There's a fair bit of re-engineering in the car, and visually the devil's in the detail. Some neat touches and quite an interesting step in the move from ICE to EV.

[oilit]

NFC 85 Vette said:

A nice piece by Carfection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxfK05HJ2g4

There's a fair bit of re-engineering in the car, and visually the devil's in the detail. Some neat touches and quite an interesting step in the move from ICE to EV.

did he really say wheels to 'reduce' range ?

[kathk]

oilit said:

did he really say wheels to 'reduce' range ?

Maybe those http://www.autos.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/201... 🤣🤣🤣

[dbs2000]

oilit said:

did he really say wheels to 'reduce' range ?

It sounded that way, I hope he just messed his words up
I think they nailed it with "the most beautiful EV" - it looks great.

[nickv8]

NFC 85 Vette said:

A nice piece by Carfection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxfK05HJ2g4

There's a fair bit of re-engineering in the car, and visually the devil's in the detail. Some neat touches and quite an interesting step in the move from ICE to EV.

Great video - Catchpole always gets my vote

I am astonished simply how major major and groundbreaking (for AM) projects are underway at one point for a company of AM’s size! DBX, 3x mid-engined, Lagonda and goodness knows what else! They are punching way above their weight.

Teaming up with Williams is an increasingly visible route at the moment for low volume manufacturers. They are also having their hand in the latest £1.5 Singer. Williams have an excellent reputation for engineering, so good choice.

From the video, the weight penalty of only 100kg over an (admittedly V12) ICE is not bad. I also think he said the diff was taken out, so the motors must be in each hub.

[Jon39]

nickv8 said:

..... I also think he said the diff was taken out, so the motors must be in each hub.

I don't know how this works.

It has been stated that this car is rear wheel drive, so if there is a motor in each rear hub, what is all that 'stuff' under the bonnet?
Perhaps the batteries are under the bonnet. By using the original Rapide, there presumably is not provision for them under the floor.

This project was originally partnered with a Chinese firm LeEco, but after they withdrew, Williams helped with the development.

[murphyaj]

nickv8 said:

I also think he said the diff was taken out, so the motors must be in each hub.

The official AM page says this:

AM said:

The rear wheel drive twin electric motors drive through a Limited-Slip Differential, which when combined with the revised spring and damper rates, ensure the pure handling characteristics of the petrol-powered Rapid AMR are retained.

So I guess that means they aren't hub motors, but a pair of motors driving a common shaft routed to each wheel through a diff. Perhaps that's for packaging reasons.