Aston Martin to add EVs

Luxury car maker Aston Martin has confirmed plans to augment its gasoline-powered vehicles with new electric models. Aston CEO Andy Palmer told Automotive News that the first of these green machines will be an all-wheel-drive version of the Rapide S 4-door set to arrive within the next two years. It reportedly will have about 800 horsepower and be able to travel roughly 200 miles on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery pack. Prototype versions of the Rapide EV are being developed. 

Also: Class of 2016 — New Cars Ready to Roll 

Following the introduction of the Rapide EV, Palmer indicated Aston will make its second run down electric avenue with a production version of the DBX crossover coupe which debuted as a show car at the Geneva Auto Show. Although expected to launch as a plug-in hybrid and also offer conventional gasoline power, a battery-only DBX is due before the end of the decade. Although best known for its conventional V8- and V12-powered supercars, Aston Martin is looking to use the these alternative powertrains as part of a two-prong strategy to meet increasingly stringent emission and fuel economy requirements as well as stake out a piece of the lucrative premium EV segment dominated by Tesla.