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Aston Martin Will Make Old Cars Electric So They Don't Get Banned From Cities (theverge.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the what's-old-is-new-again dept.

Aston Martin announced this week that it's starting a "Heritage EV" program where owners of classic Aston Martins can have their cars converted to an all-electric powertrain. The British automaker said they are starting this program so that classic cars don't get banned from cities that are moving to shun internal combustion engines in favor of boosting air quality for residents. The Verge reports: Aston Martin says the technology for these conversions will be built on "key components" being used to develop the Rapide E, a super-limited all-electric sports car due late next year. The Rapide E will use an 800-volt, 65kWh battery, offer "over 200 miles" of range, and feature a sub-4-second 0-60 mph time, as well as a top speed of 155 miles per hour. Only 155 of them will be sold, too. So the best way to get a taste of Aston Martin's electric future might actually be one of these EV conversions.

The automaker says the first car it will develop a conversion plan for is the 1970 DB6 MkII Volante. Aston Martin will build Rapide E-inspired "cassettes" that can essentially slide in where the original engine and gearbox used to be, and will even be attached to the same mountings. A new screen will be fitted in the car's interior, but otherwise, little else is changed. This also means that, should an owner change their mind, and also have the money (which, come on, of course they do), they should be able to change it back if they so desire.

5 of 143 comments (clear)

  1. I doubt tthat reason... by bickerdyke · · Score: 5, Informative

    Even here in Germany, classic cars are exempt from most air qualityrules (and even regular car taxes) so I doubt that would be a problem anywhere else.

    But then, this is pretty cool and catapults classic cars into the 21st century.

    And best of it is: A company is showing dedication to their own products and is not trying to obsolete their old products as fast as possible to sell a few more new ones. That's the long term support i want to see from phone manufacturers.

    --
    bickerdyke
    1. Re:I doubt tthat reason... by Kokuyo · · Score: 5, Interesting

      You won't see this from phone manufacturers. While many devices, not just Apple's, are priced like luxury objects, they are still very much mass produced commodity items.

      Aston Martin does not make commodity items. You usually do not buy an Aston Martin for your commute. Aston Martin sells you a dream. And dreams are something people cultivate.

  2. Will that include by rossdee · · Score: 4, Funny

    James Bonds DB5 with the machine guns and ejector seat

  3. Re:I know by burhop · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Oh, stop being such a Grinch. This is actually kind of cool.

    I've got an 82 Corvette that I'd love to convert. the cars from about 1975 To 1990 suffered greatly from loss of power due to emission controls. getting up to Tesla speed plus having some new tech to play with would be fun.

  4. Re:I know by shortscruffydave · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I was at a classic car show a few weeks ago, and saw an old MG that had been converted in a similar way. The company who did it said that the conversion actually improved the car's handling - as well as being in the boot (trunk for USA-ians) batteries were also distributed along the car's floor, which lowered the centre of gravity compared to the regular car