Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell production confirmed

It's thought that the production model will carry much of the same technology over from the bright green/yellow prototype previewed earlier this year. This means it will get a similar, if not identical, powertrain to the prototype, using a 48kWh lithium-ion battery pack to power four motors.

Just because it's an electric, 'eco-car' doesn't mean the mighty AMG will be any kind of dawdling golf cart. In prototype form it offers 392kW of power and a monstrous 880Nm of torque, topping out just 28kW shy of the petrol V8's potential. It will out-torque the sibling by more than 200Nm though, providing a truly gut-wrenching surge of acceleration off the mark.

Acceleration times are said to be on par with the petrol version as well, with 0-100km/h coming up in around 4.0 seconds.

CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Car, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, confirmed production at the recent 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, saying,

Check out the video below for a more valid confirmation (don't take too much notice of the voiceover however, '40 seconds from 0-100km/h' is obviously incorrect as perhaps elements of communication were lost in translation).