Mercedes-Benz will unveil the SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive at the Paris Motor Show 2012. The SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive is the production ready and driven by four electric motors. Oh yeah, and it’s the fastest Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG to date!
The entire project has been developed in-house by Mercedes-AMG GmbH with help from Formula 1 experts at Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth, UK. The SLS AMG features four synchronous electric motors providing a combined maximum output of 552kW (740hp) and maximum torque of 1,000Nm. This means that the SLS AMG Electric Drive accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds, and can reach an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.
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The power comes from four permanent-magnet synchronous electric motors, each weighing 45 kg and able to achieve a maximum individual speed of 13,000rpm. The battery is a 400 volt liquid-cooled lithium-ion high-voltage battery with 864 lithium-ion cells in total. Two low-temperature cooling circuits monitor temperature. With the 22kW quick-charge function, the SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive takes just 3 hours to charge. At a normal wall socket, that increases to 20 hours.
As power drives all four wheels, the Electric Drive gets permanent all-wheel drive. AMG fitted a Torque Dynamics system which gives selective distribution of forces for each individual wheel. Settings include Comfort (C), Sport (S) and Sport plus (S+). AMG also developed a tailor-made artificial driving sound for each driving situation which is not only dependent on road speed, engine speed and load conditions, but also reflects the driving situation and the vehicle’s operating state with a suitable driving noise.
The battery is located within a carbon-fibre monocoque which itself is bolted to an aluminium spaceframe. The SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive features a newly designed front axle with independent multi-link suspension with pushrod damper struts, a ceramic braking system which is 40 percent lighter than the conventional system and a new aerodynamic design. You won’t have failed to miss the new exterior colour named AMG electricbeam magno either!
Overall, the new SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive weighs just 2,095kg with a 47:53 weight distribution. That’s almost 500kg more than the standard SLS AMG. The boot and cabin space remains exactly the same and range is an impressive 155 miles with a full charge. Carbon ceramic brakes are standard on the SLS AMG Electric Drive and it will be a series production model, not a limited edition.
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive will be celebrating its market launch in 2013. The price in Germany (including 19% VAT) will be 416,500 euros! Stay tuned for live photos. Sadly, it will only be made available in Europe for the time being, and only in left hand drive.
