A glimpse of the new all-electric Aston Martin Rapide E

The British carmaker's first battery-powered production car is an exclusive model

The Aston Martin Rapide E has been developed with Williams Advanced Engineering, an arm of the Williams Formula One team. Aston Martin

It may be best known for meaty V12 petrol engines, but Aston Martin has joined the growing list of car manufacturers to unveil an electric model, confirming that it will be called the Rapide E.

Continuing the lineage of the Rapide, the four-door sports saloon first made by Aston in 2010, just 155 examples of the Rapide E will be made.

It will be the most powerful Rapide ever, with more than 600hp and 950Nm or torque from twin electric motors.

The lithium-ion battery – which will be located in place of the original Rapide's 6.0-litre V12, gearbox and fuel tank – is likely to have a range of more than 310 kilometres.

Its projected top speed will be about 250kph, with 0-to-100kph arriving in less than four seconds.

The car was developed with Williams Advanced Engineering, an arm of the Williams Formula One team that has some form in the field, having previously created the batteries used in the world's top electric-car racing series, Formula E.

The Rapide E will be built in St Athan in south Wales, with the first cars due to be delivered in the first quarter of next year.

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