Mercedes-AMG SLS AMG E-Cell is Motoring of the Future

Yesterday, various sources published the very first images of the Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell, the electric variant of the German supercar which is due to arrive in 2013. Mercedes-AMG SLS AMG E-Cell is
accepting the challenges of motoring of the future. This electric version of the SLS AMG supercar is designed to help reduce the company's overall CO2 emissions and deliver the thrills of the V8 model.

In the design, there is an extended apron that will help airflow under the car. There is also an extendable rear splitter that acts along with the rear spoiler. There is an AMG gauge cluster with charge status, a revised center console with a ten-inch touch screen that operates the radio, navigation, and climate control. The seats are black and white with a mix of leather and Alcantara. There will also be LED headlamps, a wider radiator grille, revised air outlets on the hood, matte black accents, and 19-inch wheels in the front and 20-inch in the back.

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell drive incorporates a liquid-cooled high-voltage lithium-ion battery featuring a modular design with an energy content of 48 kWh and a capacity of 40 Ah. The maximum electric load potential of the battery, which consists of 324 lithium-ion polymer cells, is 480 kW. Another technical feature of this considerable performance is the intelligent parallel circuit of the individual battery modules - this also helps to maximise the safety, reliability and service life of the battery.

The cars batteries are very picky about temperature, a separate low-temperature circuit is responsible for cooling the high-voltage lithium-ion battery. In low external temperatures, the battery is quickly brought up to operating temperature with the aid of an electric heating element. In extremely high external temperatures, the cooling circuit for the battery can be additionally boosted with the aid of the air conditioning system.

The electrically-powered SLS AMG makes a statement: the gullwing model accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4 seconds - which almost puts it on the same high level as the Mercedes SLS AMG with 6.3-litre V8 engine developing 420 kW (571 hp), which can accelerate to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds.

To help bring the car to a halt, the E-Cell gets optional ceramic brakes that are 18.5 inches in the front and 14.2 inches in the rear. The brakes are 40 percent lighter than the standard set and they also charge the battery while braking.

This car is very promising, but we should wait for the official specs of it to see how Mercedes has dealt with issues like the range and charging time.