Mercedes-Benz has kicked off a high stakes battle for electric performance car supremacy with the unveiling of the definitive production version of its new €416,500 SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive at the Paris motor show.
Described as the world’s most powerful series production electric car, the new two seater shares its exterior styling, including signature gullwing doors, with the more conventional combustion engine-propelled SLS AMG, first introduced to the Mercedes-Benz line-up back in 2009.
But underneath its familiar looking bodywork the SLS Electric Drive adopts a hi-tech driveline consisting of four synchronous electric motors placed at each corner where they drive the individual wheels, providing it with permanent four-wheel drive.
Together, the four electric motors, each weighing 45kg, deliver a total of 740bhp and 738lb ft of torque – 177bhp and 259lb ft more than the standard rear-wheel-drive SLS AMG’s 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine.
The electric-powered Audi R8 e-tron, which is tipped to cost less — up to half the price of the new Mercedes-Benz — when it goes on sale in early 2013, packs a claimed 376bhp and 604lb ft.
The SLS is equipped with two separate gearboxes that provide direct drive to each axle, along with a new AMG Torque Dynamics system, which provides selective drive to individual wheels depending on prevailing traction in three different modes – comfort, sport and sport plus. The Electric Drive is claimed to reach 62mph from standstill in 3.9sec and electronically limited 155mph top speed.
By way of comparison, the standard SLS AMG reaches the same benchmark in an official 3.8sec and extends to 317km/h without restriction.
Thanks to: Autocar
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