Mercedes New Electric Supercar

When Mercedes-Benz showed off its new SLS AMG supercar at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show, the company said it would also build an electric version of the SLS. Now, Mercedes-Benz has released photos and specs for the SLS AMG E-Cell. This vehicle uses the SLS AMG’s body and most of its original suspension, but replaces the 6.3-liter V-8 engine with four electric motors, one positioned near each wheel. Combined with a 400-volt lithium ion battery pack producing 48 kilowatt hours, the SLS AMG E-Cell gets to 60 mph in 4 seconds, just .3 seconds slower than the gasoline-powered version.

The four electric motors and battery pack give this electric supercar 526 horsepower and 649 pound-feet of torque, a little less than the 563 horsepower afforded by the gasoline engine. Unlike the SLS AMG, the SLS AMG E-Cell has all-wheel-drive due to the four electric motors, which could give it a cornering advantage.

The SLS AMG E-Cell keeps the ceramic brakes of its gasoline equivalent, but also gets regenerative braking. Further, liquid cooling and a heating element keep the battery pack at optimum temperature for long life. Mercedes-Benz has not announced plans to produce the SLS AMG E-Cell. Let’s Wait for this Supercar!