Aston Martin’s AutoLink Rapide S previews a connected sports car future

Aston Martin has revealed a Rapide S with a new internet-based infotainment system developed by Chinese technology giant Letv at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The concept electric sports car uses Letv’s latest car infotainment system called Internet of the Vehicle (IOV), which links to Letv’s Cloud service, LeCloud, to provide remote monitoring and connection with other Letv-developed vehicles and products.

Physical changes to the car include a new 13.3in high-definition touchscreen that displays all of the car’s infotainment features. A second 12.2-inch screen sits in place of the car’s instrument panel, and digitally displays controls and gauges.

Letv has equipped the Rapide S with the latest version of its human-machine interaction (HMI) speech recognition technology. The technology is an evolved version of the company’s 2015 AutoLink system – which was launched in November of last year as its first automotive product.

Letv co-founder and Letv Super Car CEO Ding Lei said of the new car: “After a few months’ effort we finished the integration of an Aston Martin vehicle and Letv IOV system. We have successfully equipped this supercar brand with over 100 years of history with an internet brain".

The AutoLink Rapide S arrives just two weeks after Autocar UK revealed that Letv could commission Aston Martin to build an electric supercar. Both companies signed a memorandum of understanding on December 3, which will see them co-develop electric vehicles and work together to improve manufacturing processes. Lei said the idea of Aston Martin building a car for Letv had "great potential."

Speaking to Autocar UK at CES, Aston Martin boss Andy Palmer said the Rapide S connected car was designed to help further the reputation of the Aston Martin brand in Asia, as well as showcasing future technologies. Although Palmer confirmed that some of the car's features would appear on future production models, he said development of the upcoming DB11 was already too far gone to receive them.

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