The Aston Martin Rapide E has raced around Monaco

The Aston Martin Rapide E has made a public debut on the streets – and ergo the racetrack – of Monaco. And by the look of these pictures, it wasn’t hanging about either.

Not a surprise given Aston works driver Darren Turner was at the wheel, perhaps, as the first all-electric Aston showed its face in the build-up the Formula E race in Monaco. A prime opportunity to showcase a car with the roads closed into their historically tight and twisting circuit layout, then.

“The car has the kind of torque and punch that you’d expect from an EV, but they’ve really worked hard to retain the dynamic characteristics of what makes an Aston Martin special,” said Turner after his lap.

He would say that, of course, given he’s on the Aston payroll. But with 601bhp and 700lb ft channelled through the rear wheels, things certainly bode well for this being an effervescent take on electric saloons.

Aston is limiting production to a mere 155 cars, and there are few build slots left if you want one. Would you choose this over a lavishly specced Tesla Model S?