The German automaker Mercedes-Benz has surprised everyone who visited this year’s Paris Motor Show by unveiling the Mercedes-Benz SLS Electric Drive. They say it’s the most powerful production electric vehicle in the world. Is it?
One of the most obvious facts about the vehicle is that it looks exactly the same as its gasoline powered counterpart, with the same gullwing doors. The biggest difference between them is internal – this one is powered by four synchronous electric motors, one at every wheel, also making it a 4WD vehicle.
The engines are quite light as well, each one weighing just 45 kg (99 lbs). Summed up, the total output of this magnificent beast is a whopping 740 HP (551 kW) and 999 Nm (738 lb-ft) of torque. If we do some simple maths, we realize this fellow is 177 HP (132 kW) and 351 Nm (259 lb-ft) more powerful than the 6.2-liter V8 on the regular SLS.
However, the specialists at Mercedes-Benz have mounted two independent gearboxes on the SLS Electric Drive, providing direct drive to both the axles. The AMG Torque Dynamics system can provide selective drive to each of the wheels, depending on the traction type, in three modes – sport plus, sport and comfort. According to the German brand, the SLS Electric Drive can accelerate from naught to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds and can reach an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
Unlike the fuel tank on the gasoline version, this version runs on a 60 kWh lithium-ion, liquid cooled battery pack, which tips the scales at a whopping 548 kg (1,208 lbs). The battery pack is housed in the space where the SLS’ fuel tank can be found, behind the seats, and within the transmission tunnel.
Furthermore, given the fact that the weight of the batteries is quite significant, the specialists at Mercedes- Benz had to lower the car’s curb weight – they’ve therefore chosen light yet resistant materials like carbon fiber and advanced aluminum. They’ve also installed carbon ceramic brake disks measuring 402 mm at the front and 360 mm at the rear instead of regular ones in order to lighten the vehicle.
The SLS Electric Drive sports a pushrod configuration which uses horizontally mounted dampers and springs, to the prejudice of the SLS’ AMG double wishbone front suspension. In addition, the electric version boasts with exclusive 19 inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/35 rubbers at the front and 20 inch ones shod in 295/30 tires at the rear.
The car will reportedly be available for purchase during 2013, at a starting price of €416,500 (VAT included).
[Mercedes-Benz]
