Posts tagged sls
Mercedes unveils 740 hp SLS AMG Electric Drive for 2014
Sep 28th
Gullwing doors, shockingly shiny blue finish, white wheels, a sports car-stomping 740 horsepower, and… no exhaust pipe?
That’s what was on tap at AMG as Mercedes-Benz’s performance division unveiled its 2014 SLS AMG Electric Drive supercar at the Paris Motor Show. The electrified SLS is a production version of Mercedes’ earlier SLS AMG E-Cell concept and is the most powerful series-production electric vehicle ever. It’s also the most expensive Mercedes road car to date (minus the Maybach line and race-homologation street cars like the CLK-GTR).
Four drive motors (one per corner) provide permanent four-wheel-drive and deliver 552 kW — or 740 hp – and a potent 738 lb-ft of torque. That gives the Electric Drive a 177 hp and 259 lb-ft advantage over the 6.2L V8 in the normal SLS AMG. The EV goes 0-60 mph in 3.9 sec and is electronically limited to 155 mph. 60 kWh of batteries yield 155 miles of driving range.
Despite the added weight of the 1,200 lb battery pack, the Electric Drive is just 0.2 sec slower to 60 mph than the gasoline car, and the four-wheel-drive and low center of gravity should improve traction and some aspects of handling. To counteract the battery weight, AMG replaced much of the standard car’s aluminum structure with carbon fiber and gave the car a redesigned suspension, carbon-fiber ceramic brakes, and a battery pack that fills the former transmission tunnel and fuel tank areas. Body mods are limited to a grille insert, badging, new bumper trim (where the exhaust pipes would be), and a crazy chromed blue color (at least on the demo car).
The normal SLS AMG has an obnoxiously loud exhaust note, so to prevent Electric Drive owners from being envious, the EV includes a sound generation feature. At the press of a “power button,” the car’s sound system will emit a “typical AMG sound tailored for each driving situation.”
Deliveries begin in June 2013. If you’re in Germany, all you need to do is fork over €416,500 (the equivalent of $540,000, including a 19% sales tax). For reference, that’s more than double what the standard SLS AMG costs (€177,310 to start). That’s probably more due to the carbon fiber structure than all the EV components, though.
via AutoWeek
Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell: Electric Supercar for 2013
Jan 12th
Mercedes-Benz just announced at the Detroit Auto Show that it will be putting the electric version of its SLS AMG supercar, the E-Cell, into production in 2013. The E-Cell sports four electric motors (one per wheel) that together produce 526 hp and 629 lb-ft of torque. The standard SLS has a 6.2L V8 putting out 563 hp and 479 lb-ft, so the electric version is down 37 hp but up 150 lb-ft versus its gas counterpart.
Unfortunately, the E-Cell weighs a whopping 880 lb more (400 lb of which is in the 48 kWh lithium ion battery) than the regular SLS, which was already not terribly light at 3,571 lb. Auto Express reports that the extra heft does have a decidedly negative effect on the car’s handling. Mercedes says, however, that the weight should be reduced by the time the car hits production, and regardless, the motors’ massive, instant torque is an undeniable attraction. The E-Cell even manages a respectable 125 mile range.
The normal SLS AMG attracts so much attention that should Mercedes choose to produce the E-Cell in the color it’s being displayed in (“AMG Lumilectric Mango”), you’ll always be the center of attention for miles around in one of these. And hey, maybe the extra weight won’t matter, because with all the wide-eyed bystanders surrounding the car, you won’t be moving terribly fast anyway.
Auto Express driving impressions video after the break.
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McLaren resurrects Mercedes-Benz SLR for 25-car limited edition
Dec 5th
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was discontinued a year ago, when the German automaker and British racing specialist decided to part ways. Mercedes has since released the SLS AMG, and McLaren has its new MP4-12C. But it looks like McLaren has one last ace up its sleeve for the old supercar.
The new SLR McLaren Edition sports revised bodywork (front bumper, grille, hood, side gills, rear diffuser, rims) and interior parts, along with upgraded steering and suspension components and new ceramic brakes. The 5.5L supercharged V8 appears to have been left untouched and is expected to deliver 626 hp, 575 lb-ft of torque, 207 mph top speed, and a 0-62 mph run in under 3.8 seconds.
In line with its name, the limited-edition car’s Mercedes badges have been given a smoked finish to blend in with the rest of the car, while the McLaren badges are highlighted in red. The company plans to build just 25 examples of the McLaren Edition, which it showed off recently at the Essen Motor Show in Germany. No word on pricing or availability, though we’d imagine they’re probably all spoken for already.
More photos and a walkaround video after the jump.
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