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Mercedes-AMG to introduce electric SLS

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.

Matt Brogan

11:4217 July 2009

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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.