Iconic British sports car builder Aston Martin plans to produce an electric version of its four-door Rapide within two years, CEO Andy Palmer told Automotive News. The electric motorcar will feature all-wheel drive, about 800 hp and a 200-mile range, said Palmer.

The announcement comes as no great surprise. In his previous role as Chief Planning Officer at Nissan, Palmer was the company’s point man for all things electric. He hinted that an Aston EV was in the works in April, and the company previously revealed the DBX Concept – pictured above – a crossover with the styling of the GT coupe, but with 4WD and a high ground clearance like an SUV.

Most of the high-end automakers are preparing for electrification, inspired not only by a certain California company, but also by tightening fuel-efficiency regulations worldwide. “If you want to keep making V-12 engines, then you’ve got to do something at the opposite end of the spectrum,” Palmer said.

The E-Rapide is expected to be priced in the $200,000 to $250,000 range, comparable to the US price of the legacy gas model. Palmer implied that it will be in a class above Tesla’s Model S, which can cost up to $142,000.

“What Tesla clearly shows you is we haven’t hit the ceiling in terms of price,” Palmer said. “But I think it’s hard, though not impossible, for them as a relatively new brand to keep pushing up and to go into that super premier area.”

Aston Martin will buy batteries from an “established supplier” such as LG or Samsung, said Palmer. An electric Rapide test mule is already on the road, and production is to start within two years.

Palmer also said that the company has plans for an electric version of its DBX crossover coupe, perhaps around five years from now.

There’s no word on how soon James Bond will be driving an EV.

Source: Automotive News