Aehra, the US-Italian start-up, has revealed its second model, a performance-focused electric saloon to rival the Porsche Taycan and Mercedes-AMG EQS. The Sedan, as it will be known, joins the previously revealed SUV in a two-car line-up. Aehra aims to shake up the “ultra-premium” market with its dramatic design and engineering approach.
Design
The Sedan features a similarly dramatic design to the SUV, effectively split into two halves by muscular arches and a strong shoulder line. The lower area displays more technical cues, including active aerodynamics, while the top portion is curvier, inspired by aeroplanes. The saloon also features the extravagant falcon doors from the SUV, an apparent signature of Aehra’s line-up.
Interior
Aehra has yet to showcase the saloon’s interior, but it is likely to mirror that of the four-seat SUV, including its dashboard-width infotainment screen. This can extend vertically when the car is switched off as part of a ‘home theatre’ mode, turning the car into a cinema on wheels.
Powertrain
The Sedan and SUV share a 3.0m-long monobody platform. The SUV is powered by a tri-motor set-up, with two power units on the rear axle and one up front, producing a combined 794bhp. This configuration is expected to also feature in the saloon. Energy is stored in a 120kWh battery built by Austrian company Miba, and Aehra is targeting a 497-mile range. Recharges can be completed at rates up to 350kW thanks to 925V electrics. Bi-directional charging means the saloon and SUV will also be able to power external devices, such as a house.
Future Plans
The platform and battery could be shortened to spawn smaller models in the future, such as a coupé. Aehra has yet to confirm if such models are currently in its plans. The Aehra saloon and SUV will share 70% of their components, of which “practically all” will be sourced from existing OEMs. This “Lego approach” will help the firm to rapidly scale the two cars to a target of 25,000 sales apiece by mid-2027.
Engineering
The two models are likely to have a distinct feel on the road, owing to the work of engineering boss Francisco Cimatti. He was most recently responsible for the development of Lotus’s EPA platform, which underpins the new Eletre SUV. He is perhaps best known for a 32-year stint at Ferrari, during which he oversaw work on the 512 TR, 456 GT and 550 Maranello – a two-time winner of our annual Britain’s Best Driver’s Car contest. Cimatti’s ambition with the Aehra project is to rethink what makes an electric car exciting, and not to rely solely on brutal acceleration as many rivals do. He added that he would like to prioritise energy efficiency and recuperation, as well as “right-sizing” the brand’s line-up: minimising waste in all aspects of its production and on-road performance.
Price
Aehra saloon prices are expected to start at around €160,000 (£137,000), positioning it below the €180,000 (£154,000) SUV.
Conclusion
Aehra’s Sedan is set to rival the Porsche Taycan and Mercedes-AMG EQS in the ultra-premium market. With its dramatic design and engineering approach, Aehra aims to shake up the market and offer something different. The Sedan shares many components with the previously revealed SUV, and both models are likely to have a distinct feel on the road, thanks to the work of engineering boss Francisco Cimatti. Aehra’s ambition is to rethink what makes an electric car exciting and prioritise energy efficiency and recuperation. The Sedan is expected to launch by 2026, with prices starting at around €160,000 (£137,000).