Daimler has announced today that the Mercedes SLS AMG will receive electric drive which transforms it into a super sports car with zero-emissions. The Mercedes SLS AMG electric drive will have a power output of 392 kW and 880 Nm of torque and will be able to propel the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 4 seconds. With these performance numbers the Mercedes SLS AMG electric drive matches the performance of the 6.3-litre V8 powered Mercedes SLS AMG which develops 420 kW/571 hp.
The Mercedes SLS AMG electric drive features a liquid-cooled high-voltage lithium-ion battery that has 48 kWh and a capacity of 40 Ah. The 400V battery of the Mercedes SLS AMG electric drive is recharged braking energy recovery.
Mercedes Press Release:
Mercedes-AMG is paving the way ahead: with the new Mercedes SLS AMG with electric drive, the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars is developing an exciting super sports car with zero-emission high-tech drive. This model sees Mercedes-Benz and AMG displaying their expertise in the development of alternative drive solutions for high-performance super sports cars, delivering further proof of their pioneering status in this market segment.
The Mercedes SLS AMG with electric drive transforms the vision of powerful and locally emission-free super sports cars into reality thanks to an innovative drive system: powerful forwards thrust is provided by four electric motors with a combined peak output of 392 kW and a maximum torque of 880 Nm. The four electric motors are positioned near the wheels, substantially reducing the unsprung masses compared to wheel-hub motors. One transmission per axle transmits the power. This intelligent all-wheel-drive system allows dynamically optimised power transmission without any losses by means of Torque Vectoring – in other words the
specifically targeted acceleration of individual wheels. In its first pilot phase, the Mercedes SLS AMG with electric drive incorporates a liquid-cooled high-voltage lithium-ion battery of modular design with an energy content of 48 kWh and a capacity of 40 Ah. The 400-volt battery is charged by means of targeted recuperation during braking whilst the car is being driven.
Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in around 4 seconds
When it comes to dynamics, the electrically driven Mercedes SLS AMG delivers an unequivocal statement: the swing-wing model accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in around 4 seconds – putting it on the same high level as the Mercedes SLS AMG with a 6.3-litre V8 engine developing 420 kW/571 hp.
"With the Mercedes SLS AMG with electric drive, we wanted to redefine the super sports car. For us, it is not just about responsibility. We attach just as much importance to excitement and classic AMG performance," says Volker Mornhinweg, Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
Optimum weight distribution and low center of gravity
The purely electric drive system was factored into the equation as early as the concept phase when the new swing-wing model was being developed by Mercedes-Benz and AMG. It is ideally packaged for the integration of the high-performance, zero-emission technology: by way of example, the four electric motors and the two transmissions can be positioned near the wheels and very low down in the vehicle. The same applies to the modular high-current battery, whose modules are located in front of the firewall, in the center tunnel and behind the seats. Advantages of this solution include the vehicle's low center of gravity and the balanced weight distribution – ideal conditions for optimum handling, which the electrically powered Mercedes SLS AMG shares with its petrol-driven sister model.
Key data at a glance:
Mercedes SLS AMG with electric drive
Max. output 392 kW
Torque 880 Nm
0-100 km/h Approx. 4 s
Rated capacity 40 Ah (at 400 V)
Energy content 3x 16 kWh = 48 kWh
The installation of the drive components required no changes whatsoever to the swing-wing model's aluminum spaceframe body. And there were just as few constraints when it came to maintaining the excellent level of passive safety and high degree of long-distance comfort that are hallmarks of Mercedes cars.
Strategic alliance for fast electrification of the car
The electrically powered Mercedes SLS AMG sees Mercedes-Benz and AMG continuing to pursue their aim of minimizing the amount of time it takes to bring about the electrification of the car. Their strategic involvement in Deutsche Accumotive GmbH & Co. KG, a joint venture between Daimler AG and Evonik Industries AG, will provide the battery technology required in future. Daimler has the leading role in this joint venture for the development and production of batteries and battery systems for automotive applications.
