RSS
Who says the gullwing SLS can’t be green? Mercedes-Benz officially revealed today that it is, in fact, working on an electric-powered version of its forthcoming SLS AMG supercar.
Although rumors of an electric Audi R8 concept were quickly debunked, Mercedes seems entirely serious about crafting an SLS EV.
“With the SLS AMG with electric drive, we wanted to redefine the super sports car,” says AMG CEO Volker Mornhinweg. “For us, it is not just about responsibility. We attach just as much importance to excitement and classic AMG performance.”
Certainly, the preliminary specs reveal plenty of performance. The electric SLS uses four electric motors, collectively rated at 392 kW (526 hp) and 648 lb-ft of torque. Two differentials, both of which allow torque to be actively split between each wheel, then channel power to the front and rear wheels. Mercedes-Benz says the system can propel the SLS from 0-62 mph in “approximately” 4 seconds, 0.2 seconds slower than a “regular” SLS.
Mercedes-Benz hasn’t discussed a timetable for when the electric SLS will be revealed, but as Georg Kacher alluded to in his drive of a petrol-powered SLS prototype, the SLS EV should see the light of day by 2012.
MOST COMMENTED ON