Electric Aston Martin Rapide Will Be More Powerful

Electric Aston Martin Rapide

Fans of the hybrid and electric car movement can rejoice in a bit of good news: The all-new electric Aston Martin Rapide shall be even more powerful than her standard siblings. How much more powerful? That would be hundreds more horses. For the time being, the electric Aston will be made available in both the United States and China, possibly expanding to other areas later.

The electric Aston Martin Rapide at a glance:

  • The model features a high-capacity specialized battery placed in the engine bay and transmission. Basically, there is an electric motor mounted on each axle, with all working parts generating approximately 1,000 horses. That is a full 450 more than the standard Rapide siblings.
  • It boasts the same 6.0-liter V12 as the Aston Martin Rapide S
  • Range is estimated at 200 miles in electric mode, which is a step further than some competitors have managed at this juncture in the game.
  • The electric sibling is emerging in sync with new and more stringent CO2 regulations being put into place around the globe. The new tweaks toward a greener future should allow the luxury brand to keep that famous V12 purring while staying within the environmental guideline limits.

Aston Martin has not revealed the exact launch date for the electric Rapide hybrid, with best guesses placing the release within two years. That gives motivated buyers some time to save up for the vehicle, which will likely exceed the $300,000 pricing level. Will the new offering electrify the masses like the trendy Fisker Karma? It seems that so long as the hybrid performs flawlessly and maintains the distinctive brand appeal, companies are having little trouble unloading them as people gear toward greener horizons. read more

Gears Shift for Audi R8 e-tron Production?

Audi R8 e-tron

It once was a sure thing: the Audi R8 e-tron was slated to hit production and emerge toward the end of the year. This could be a pipe dream, according to recent hints dropped in Car and Driver and by Audi of America! According to Brad Stertz, corporate communications manager for Audi of America, the production is not exactly derailed, but more of a road-based laboratory than a prototype heading for production. If you listen carefully, you can hear hearts breaking around the world.

The Audi R8 e-tron is the electric version of its sexy sibling. read more

Video: Lexus Unveils LF-LC Blue Hybrid Concept

Lexus LF-LC blue hybrid concept

Lexus is hitting the hybrid track with the launch of the LF-LC recently in Australia. By the looks of this car, they are springing forward on the heels of the Lexus LFA supercar. Referred to as the Lexus LF-LC Blue Hybrid concept, it is certainly a dazzling sight. But it is what is on the inside that counts, so let’s get down to specs.

Lurking under the sleek hood is an advanced Lexus hybrid drive system pushing out 500 horses. That is quite a bang from a battery pack! The svelte hybrid goes way heavy on lightweight carbon fiber, yet the overall appearance is aggressive and agile. A high-energy battery pack paired with an efficient Atkinson cycle combustion engine create the guts for this model, which is the most powerful Lexus hybrid to date.
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