At this year’s Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the new SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive, an emission-free super sports car featuring advanced technology such as four electric motors delivering a total of 740 hp (552 kW) and an impressive 1000 Nm of torque. The four electric motors weigh 180 kg, but the total ouput delivered by them is more than the standard rear-wheel-drive SLS AMG’s 6.2-liter V8 petrol engine. With these numbers, the car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 250 km/h or 155 mph (petrol-powered SLS AMG sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 317 km/h). Moreover, the car is equipped with two separate gearboxes that provide direct drive to each axle.
The AMG Torque Dynnamics system provides selective drive to individual wheels. The energy for the electric motors comes from a 60kWh lithium-ion battery pack, developed in co-operation between Mercedes-Benz’s AMG performance car division and High Performance Engines. According to the press release, the liquid cooled battery has a total weight of 548 kg and it is mounted within the transmission tunnel and in the space dedicated to the fuel tank in the standard SLS AMG. The battery consists of 12 individual modules, each comprising 72 cells. The SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive can be fully charged in 20 hours and as in F1, the battery can also be charged during in-gear coasting and under breaking.
Mercedes-Benz says that the vehicle has a total range of 250 km or 155 mph. Furthermore, the car features as standard carbonfibre ceramic brake discs measuring 402mm up front and 360mm at the rear. The discs are hidded behinf the unique five speed design wheels, which are exclusive to the SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive. One feature reserved exclusively for the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive is the "AMG electricbeam magno" matt paint finish. A choice of five other colours is available at no extra cost. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive will be launched in 2013 and it will cost 416,500 euros in Germany (including VAT).
