Mercedes SLS AMG E-CELL: The High-voltage Gullwing
Written by man on September 1st, 2010 in Other.
We’ve often heard a ride in the SLS AMG described as “electric” – especially Goodwood Festival of Speed attendees lucky enough to experience the supercar attacking the hill climb – but with the unveiling of the SLS AMG E-CELL, we’d love to hear what adjective those people might come up with now.
The all-electric SLS AMG boasts some outstanding features. Powerful traction is provided by four synchronous electric motors with a combined peak output of 392 kW and a maximum torque of 880 Nm, and the four compact electric motors each achieve a maximum rpm of 12,000/rpm. The motors are positioned as close to each of the wheels as possible to give the E-Class a balanced weight distribution and low centre of gravity – ideal conditions for optimum handling and performance.
When it comes to performance, this SLS AMG certainly makes a statement – accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in 4 seconds – which almost puts it on the same unbelievable level as the “regular” (if you could call it that) 6.3-litre V8 engine, capable of accelerating to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds.
All impressive numbers, I’m sure you’ll agree – but what about the eye-candy? The radiator grille is wider and comes with transverse slats instead of a diamond-pattern grille, and all trim and detachable parts are now finished in matt black rather than chrome or silver. Within the cockpit, a huge 25 cm touchscreen enables the driver to view the battery (pun intended) of information required of an electric sports car, such as the vehicle’s charge status and the estimated range.
The E-CELL is admittedly just a prototype right now, but Mercedes-Benz is determined to put this car into production as part of its AMG Performance 2015 strategy to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. And really – isn’t the tennis-ball green coloured “lumilectic magno” paint job worth waiting for?
If you’d prefer not to wait, go and see our Twitter stream or Facebook page for ways to get behind the wheel of an SLS AMG sooner rather than later – with a trip to Germany and a private tour of the AMG factory thrown in, no less.






















