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Weekly Recap: Electric Rapide concept showcases Aston's future

Aston Martin showed off an all-electric Rapide S prototype this week and announced an agreement with investment firm ChinaEquity to explore development of a production version of the sports sedan. The car could arrive in about two years if the project advances, and it would be built in Gaydon, England. The concept car, called the "RapidE" was developed with Williams Advanced Engineering. The electric Rapide is meant to highlight British innovation, and it was revealed during a state visit by Chinese president Xi Jinping to the United Kingdom. Spec were not available for the concept on display. "The car we showed in London is a fully running concept but not yet defining [of] our choice of battery, motor, inverter, etc," spokesman Simon Sproule said. "Now that we have a clearer path for producing the car, we will be defining all the parameters." Aston Martin has been vocal about its electric ambitions this year, and Sproule told us at the New York Auto Show that an all-electric Rapide could cost $200,000 to $250,000 or more. "It's a study, but we're serious about it," he said. Some reports have indicated the electric Rapide could pack as much as 1,000 horsepower. Aston considers electric technology the strongest play for modernizing its powertrains and meeting emissions standards around the world. Hybrids and all-electric models can offer high outputs and strong torque delivery, which is in keeping with the Aston's image as a sportscar maker. Company brass prefer this option over dropping down to four-cylinder engines. And yes, V8s and V12s remain part of the plan. The electric push is part of Aston's future strategy to remake its lineup, which includes refreshing its sportscars, building a production version of the electric all-wheel-drive DBX concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show, and adding a four-door Lagonda. OTHER NEWS & NOTES Domino's serves up purpose-built delivery car Domino's revealed a purpose-built pizza delivery car based on the Chevy Spark. It's called the DXP, for Delivery Expert, and it can handle up to 80 pizzas. The pies stay warm thanks to an oven located behind the driver's seat, and the DXP is sauced up with a puddle-lighting feature that projects the Domino's logo outside of the car. Power comes from the Spark's stock 1.2-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 84 hp that gets up to 39 mpg on the highway. Chevy dealers will be trained to service the DXP.

Reuss says GM diesel plans are still on pace

General Motors is not going to let Volkswagen's diesel emissions scandal ruin its plans for a new line of efficient, torquey oil-burners, the company's Executive Vice President Mark Reuss said at a recent press event. "No way," Reuss responded when asked about cancelling the upcoming diesel-powered Chevrolet Cruze and other vehicles. "The Cruze Diesel is too good not to do it." Slated for 2017, the compact is just the latest member of a diesel offensive that initially kicked off with the first Cruze Diesel and most recently saw the introduction of the oil-burning Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. Reuss also reassured those in attendance that there was "no delay" in development of Cadillac's diesel lineup. Cadillac is working on a line of four- and six-cylinder turbodiesels for Europe. They'd make their way into the US market, too, eventually. "It's a question of timing," Reuss said, according to Car and Driver. Volkswagen's diesel emissions scandal has caused automakers across the globe to at least reanalyze their diesel strategy. Jaguar Land Rover, which is preparing several diesel-powered models for the US market, went on record late last month to reaffirm its commitment to diesel. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Turbo Diesel: Quick Spin View 14 Photos News Source: Car and DriverImage Credit: Copyright 2015 Seyth Miersma / AOL Green Cadillac Chevrolet GM Diesel Vehicles

2016 Chevy Volt to make auto show debut this season

Ever since we saw that spy shots of the 2016 Chevy Volt, we've been hungering for more information on the next-gen version of GM's green halo car. It appears we might not have long to wait, at least for an official tease. An inside source that wishes to remain anonymous told AutoblogGreen that GM will make two announcements regarding the second-gen Volt at the CAR Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, MI next week. The first, and most intriguing, is that that we will get our first glimpse of the new Volt at some point during the upcoming auto show season. That means either Los Angeles later this year or else Detroit, Chicago or New York in early 2015. The second bit of news is that GM will be moving production of the electric motors from Mexico to Michigan. Details and official confirmation are, of course, missing and Chevrolet declined comment to AutoblogGreen. We should know more next week.