Aston Martin’s Rapide sedan gets an electric version

If you could afford the US$200,000 Aston Martin Rapide sedan, you might want to consider investing in the electric version of said vehicle. Aston Martin just unveiled the RapidE concept (capital “E” for emphasis on the electric part). It looks similar to the petrol-powered Rapide but it is purely electric. A big chunk of the engineering work done to this car was facilitated by Williams (you know, of F1 fame). It’s expected to be ready for production in two years. Thanks in part to investment by Chinese VC firm ChinaEquity, the production of this car is possible. If plans push through, this concept will be built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire in the United Kingdom.

Source: Aston Martin | Via: The Verge

Toyota to release special edition Prius c, limited to 1,500 units

There will only be 1,500 units of the special edition Prius c hybrid called the Prius c Persona Series. It’ll come in two versions that offer the same specs but come with different trim colours. The main body colour of this electric vehicle will be black and buyers have the option to get it either in Electric Lime or Cherry Pearl. The colours run through the lower front grille, under the headlights, on the trim near the side windows, and the mirrors.

This Prius c Persona line will don Persona series badges and have 15-inch black alloy wheels. Prius c vehicles come in a numbered grade scale and this model is built on grade Two, meaning it gets fabric-trimmed two-tone seats; 6-way adjustable driver’s seat; 60/40 split fold-down rear seats; cruise control; cargo area cover; and engine immobilizer. Fuel economy of this EV is rated for 53mpg in the city. It’s equipped with a 1.5L four-cylinder engine with 73hp and 82 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with an electric motor and battery system, which if combined outputs total of 99hp. Under EV mode it can run solely on electric power for under a mile while remaining below 25mph. Toyota hasn’t said yet how much the special edition will cost but it will come out in the US in December.

Source: Toyota | Via: SlashGear 

Motoring: Mitsubishi builds first electric vehicles for Europe

 Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has started production of its highly anticipated i-MiEV electric vehicle for Europe, along with production of the electric Peugeot iOn and Citroën C-Zero at its Mizushima plant in Japan.

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Motoring: Smart electric eScooter concept unveiled

Smart will unveil an electric scooter concept at the Paris Motor Show, transforming the engineering of its Smart Electric Drive automobile into a two-wheeler. Details, photos and video after the break.

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