Mercedes-AMG to introduce electric SLS
July 17, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Mercedes-AMG is pushing ahead with its new SLS AMG – fitted with electric drive – to combined an exciting super sports car with a zero-emissions high-tech drive.
Mercedes-Benz and AMG hope their joint expertise will see the development of alternative drive solutions for high-performance super sports cars come to fruition within the next few years.
Thrust is provided by four electric motors – each positioned near the wheels – with one transmission per axle to deliver a combined peak output of 392kW and a maximum torque rating of 880Nm. Mercedes-AMG expects 0-100 times of less than four seconds.
This intelligent all-wheel-drive system allows dynamically optimised power transmission without any losses by means of Torque Vectoring – in other words the specifically targeted acceleration of individual wheels.
“With the SLS AMG with electric drive, we wanted to redefine the super sports car. For us, it is not just about responsibility. We attach just as much importance to excitement and classic AMG performance,” says Volker Mornhinweg, Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-AMG.
In its first pilot phase, the stunning SLS AMG with electric drive incorporates a liquid-cooled high-voltage lithium-ion battery. The 400-volt battery is charged by means of targeted recuperation during braking whilst the car is being driven.
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It is only a matter of time before electric motors come into their own. It will be interesting to see what we are driving in ten years time.
BRILLIANT!! But wont sound as good as the petrol powered model. How many hours will it take to recharge i wonder?
And a slight problem with any one of the motor/trans units and you suddenly go round in circles. I’ve seen it happen with an experimental unmanned electric vehicle.
Anyway, the future holds many automotive surprises.
“tesla” anti spam word??!!!!!
Electric cars were competitive with petrol ones in about 1899. What happened?
Don’t worry GT, by the time this comes out, fake engine noises will be the norm for electric cars. I think it’s funny that Mercedes are releasing all this information about a car they haven’t even shown a teaser photo of!
Badass, they have and it looks Awsome :D but yeah at this price range think id take the full fat thudering AMG V8 version over the electric one any day
“Electric cars were competitive with petrol ones in about 1899. What happened?”
Poor range was the main reason. I know there are various other conspiracy theories on the subject.
“But wont sound as good as the petrol powered model”
The Telsa Roadster at 14000 rpm does sound awesome. But the Merc with 880NM in a car this size, the only sound you’ll hear is the sonic boom!
I don’t have too much against completely electric cars, but I’d have been more impressed to see a hydrogen one.