Monday 20th July 2009

AMG Goes Electric With Mercedes SLS

Mercedes reveals plan for electric gullwing; 'normal' V8 version still on the way

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V8 version is real. Electric SLS is just a concept

With Mercedes set to officially unveil its spiritual successor to the classic 1950s gullwing 300SL - the Mercedes SLS AMG - at the Frankfurt motor show this September, the boys and girls from Stuttgart are working hard to keep interest bubbling in the new car.

Last week the company revealed that the new gullwing supercar should cost around £155k when it goes on sale next year. That's expensive for a Mercedes, but the SLS's closest conceptual rival is the near-£200k Ferrari 599, so perhaps it's not so steep.

Now, Mercedes has revealed an electric version of the SLS AMG. Power comes from four electric motors sited near each wheel, but not in the hub (as that would dramatically increase unsprung weight). The electric SLS gets two transmissions - on each axle - to create a four-wheel drivetrain that can direct acceleration to individual wheels as required.

The Gullwing returns after half a century

The combined peak output of the four motors gives the electric SLS 392kW (526bhp) and 880NM of torque (a surprisingly modest 650lb ft), which is enough, says AMG, to hit 62mph from standstill in around 4.0sec. The energy for the motors comes from a 48kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which is part-charged by energy recuperated from the car's braking.

"With the SLS AMG with electric drive, we wanted to redefine the super sports car. For us, it is not just about responsibility," says Volker Mornhinweg, AMG's CEO. "We attach just as much importance to excitement and classic AMG performance."

Fear not, though. Even while Merc is busy joining the electric Ruf 911 and Mini E in jumping on the electric sports car bandwagon started by Tesla, it hasn't forgotten the humble petrolhead - the 'normal' SLS is still going ahead.

The regular SLS AMG is powered by the usual 6208cc AMG V8, in this guise developing 563bhp. Mercedes reckons that means it's good for 0-62mph in 3.8sec and 196mph flat out.

 

[GTEYE]

Looks like a beast

[astrsxi77]

Looks like a bandwagon...

[annodomini2]

Would be interested to find out if it could complete a flying lap of the ring without running out of juice.

[GTRene]

Is it a bird...Is it a Plane? Noooo its the AMG SLS

nice...

[SystemParanoia]

650ft/lb's from 0 rpm. nice

[just me]

Yeah, what's the range?

[InRong Ghia]

Hmmm, [grabs calculator]...

392Kw with 48KwH supply = 7.347 minutes...... Not far then, at least not if all flat out.

I would suggest it could do a lap of the 'Ring on a single charge, but your power supply needs to be quite close by !!

[AnotherClarkey]

Sounds ideal for the kind of use most cars like this get - posing around town at crawling speed before a traffic light GP, getting a bit scared and trunding back to the garage.

[Graebob]

I get so fed up with these bloody "disguised" photos. Stop nancying about and either show us the product or don't!

Edit: not PH, I mean the manufacturers!

Edited by Graebob on Monday 20th July 18:05

[annodomini2]

InRong Ghia said:

Hmmm, [grabs calculator]...

392Kw with 48KwH supply = 7.347 minutes...... Not far then, at least not if all flat out.

I would suggest it could do a lap of the 'Ring on a single charge, but your power supply needs to be quite close by !!

You won't be permanently pulling full juice, plus it recovers some under braking.

[mikEsprit]

What do you get when a red Cerbera mates with a black Viper?

[Bodo]

Oh dear. Is this a marketing first? Spyshot-(not so)lookalike press pictures?

[derek29]

this is a car produced by AMG to say that they are "eco" aswell. alomst every big time car manufactur makes a electric car that is said to be "eco". it "eco" because it runs on electricity? how is 99.9% of our electricity produced? by burning fossul fuels, which is a bad thing. this is a car froma a company that is trying to say theyre "eco" aswell.

[ThunderSpook]

Still not convinced on that two tone paint job though!

[AndyBe]

mikEsprit said:

What do you get when a red Cerbera mates with a black Viper?

Thought that myself. Got a definite Viper look from certain angles.

[FatMikel]

derek29 said:

this is a car produced by AMG to say that they are "eco" aswell. alomst every big time car manufactur makes a electric car that is said to be "eco". it "eco" because it runs on electricity? how is 99.9% of our electricity produced? by burning fossul fuels, which is a bad thing. this is a car froma a company that is trying to say theyre "eco" aswell.

Actually we currently only produce about 72% from fossil fuels. Same in most other developed countries or less.

[G0ldfysh]

If it was going flat out and the door opened would the gullwing doors open or stay closed with air pressure?

[zektor]

FatMikel said:

derek29 said:

this is a car produced by AMG to say that they are "eco" aswell. alomst every big time car manufactur makes a electric car that is said to be "eco". it "eco" because it runs on electricity? how is 99.9% of our electricity produced? by burning fossul fuels, which is a bad thing. this is a car froma a company that is trying to say theyre "eco" aswell.

Actually we currently only produce about 72% from fossil fuels. Same in most other developed countries or less.

I've said it before, and I will say it again. Battery powered electric cars are dead technology.

The technology is with us TODAY to allow you to drive your hulking great V8 on nothing but WATER.

[Beefmeister]

Some proper pics:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[just me]

zektor said:

FatMikel said:

derek29 said:

this is a car produced by AMG to say that they are "eco" aswell. alomst every big time car manufactur makes a electric car that is said to be "eco". it "eco" because it runs on electricity? how is 99.9% of our electricity produced? by burning fossul fuels, which is a bad thing. this is a car froma a company that is trying to say theyre "eco" aswell.

Actually we currently only produce about 72% from fossil fuels. Same in most other developed countries or less.

I've said it before, and I will say it again. Battery powered electric cars are dead technology.

The technology is with us TODAY to allow you to drive your hulking great V8 on nothing but WATER.

Yes, but it's not cost effective to produce.