--- title: "Aston Martin is Relaunching Some of Its Vintage Cars As EVs" description: "British carmaker Aston Martin is creating a swappable electric drivetrain that could convert its classic cars into EVs." date: "2018-12-07" modified: "2018-12-07" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/aston-martin-relaunching-vintage-cars-electric-car-rapide-e" categories: - "Advanced Transport" tags: - "aston martin" - "electric car" - "jaguar" --- # Aston Martin is Relaunching Some of Its Vintage Cars As EVs ![British carmaker Aston Martin is creating a swappable electric drivetrain that could convert its classic cars into EVs.]() *\Image: Aston Martin\* ## No Compromises It seems almost too good to be true: a gorgeous 1970 Aston Martin, without the hassle of a decades-old engine and transmission. The storied British automaker [announced]() this week that it's planning to offer a service in which it converts some of its most beloved classic cars to electric power using a self-contained, all-electric powertrain. It'll take the form of a self-contained "cassette" that can be slotted underneath much older chassis like the DB6 Vantage. ## Electric Slide The conversion kit will share some "key components" with the carmaker's much awaited [Rapide E]() electric supercar due next year, according to the press release. The Rapide E has some impressive specs: a top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h) and acceleration from 0 to 60 in under four seconds. Aston Martin's first conversion will be a remake of the DB6 Mark II Volante — a vintage design from 1970 — using the cassette. Whether the Volante will share those impressive specs with the Rapide E is still uncertain. It wasn't clear from the press release whether Aston Martin would perform all conversions itself, or whether it would sell the kit to third-parties who wanted to perform the upgrade themselves. Futurism reached out for details about the future sale of the drivetrain, and we'll update the story if we hear back. ## Reversible Miss the roar of a 280 horsepower straight six engine with a 5 speed manual? Worry not. According to a [press release](), the Rapide E electric drivetrain will be completely removable, allowing car owners to reinstall the original engine and manual gearbox. It's not the first time automakers have converted older car models to an electric drivetrain. Jaguar is also planning on releasing en electric conversion of its historical E-Type — the [E-TYPE Zero Electric](). In 2018, car collectors can have their cake and eat it, too — without the emissions. What's not to like? **READ MORE:** [Aston Martin will make old cars electric so they don’t get banned from cities]() \[The Verge\] ***More on electric conversions: [Watch Out Tesla: Rivian's Electric Truck will Drop in 2020]()*** ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()