007 To Go Electric In Latest Bond Adventure, No Time To Die
The new James Bond film may have been delayed by Corona Virus but it is on its way and as per usual it's fronted by an all-star cast. However, for motoring fans, an icon of the Bond movie franchise is 007s Aston Martin.
James Bond and Aston Martin is an association that goes back decades now. Whether it’s the original and iconic Aston Martin DB5 or Pierce Brosnan's Aston Martin Vanquish from Die Another Day, the Aston Martin brand alongside Bond has become a British institution.
For James Bonds 25th outing as 007 it seems that Q Branch has become more environmentally aware and in a bid to reduce 007s carbon footprint, the latest instalment of the spy thriller will see the iconic secret agent behind the wheel of an all-electric Aston Martin Rapide E.
As the car makers of the world make a concerted shift to greener and more fuel-efficient vehicles, all at a time when electric cars are starting to gain increasing traction, Aston Martin and the producers of James Bond decided to place 007 in a zero-emission vehicle.
The Aston Martin Rapide has been around for a number of years now and is Aston's answer to Porsches critically acclaimed Panamera. A luxury limousine that can carry four people in ultimate luxury, the Rapide is a handsome looking machine and in its traditional guise, is powered by a V12 engine.
Despite its increased size and weight, the Aston Martin Rapide is still every bit the luxury sports car thanks to its impeccable ride handling and stiff chassis. With solid engineering at its core, the Rapide is still able to compete with even the most capable of luxury grand tourers.
In its all-electric guise, the Rapide E is somewhat of a different kind of beast. The first all-electric car from Aston Martin, the Rapide E is a joint project between the marque and acclaimed engineering company, Williams Advanced Engineering. A sister company of the Williams Formula One team, Williams Advanced Engineering has had extensive input into this limited-run machine.
With an emphasis placed on ultimate aerodynamic performance and weight saving, exotic materials such as carbon fibre are used extensively whilst specially engineered blade-style alloy wheels also allow for better airflow.
At its heart are over 5600 lithium-ion battery cells which in turn, power the electric motors to deliver 612PS of Power output, alongside 950Nm of torque and a top speed of 155 mph. On a single charge, the Rapide E is capable of a 200-mile range.
The Rapide E is a capable machine and one fully befitting of its moment in the movie spotlight. What remains to be seen, however, is if Bond will have enough charge available when it really counts. Let us hope he has his charger with him.
Whilst electric cars may not be the natural fit at Premier GT, the news of Bond’s arrival in the electric revolution is also a great segue into introducing our latest arrival, the technologically advanced and incredible, Porsche Taycan. With images and video coming soon, discover it here.
