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Further driving excitement is provided by the agile accelerator response and straight-line performance: unlike the combustion engine, torque build-up with an electric motor is instantaneous - maximum torque is available virtually from a standstill. The spontaneous torque build-up and effortless power delivery - which does not diminish by any interruption of tractive power - are combined with engine running characteristics which are totally free of vibration. Four motors, four wheels: the intelligent and permanent all-wheel drive of the electric SLS guarantees driving dynamics at the highest level, while at the same time providing the best possible active safety. All four driven wheels achieve optimal traction, independent of weather conditions.

This very special gullwing is therefore able to "electrify" the driver with a completely unique, effortlessly superior and emotional super sports car driving experience, even at this early, prototype stage of development. In brief: the SLS AMG E-CELL is true to the AMG brand.

High-Voltage Lithium-Ion Battery Provides 400 v and 40 Ah

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, which is an absolute best figure in the automotive sector. Another technical feature of this considerable performance is the intelligent parallel circuit of the individual battery modules - this also helps to maximize the safety, reliability and service life of the battery. The 400-volt battery is charged by means of targeted recuperation during braking while the car is being driven.

Key Data at a Glance:

Max. output: 526 hp
Torque: 649 lb-ft
0 - 60 mph: 4.0 s
Rated capacity: 40 Ah (at 400 V)
Energy content: 3 x 16 kWh = 48 kWh

High-Performance Electronic Control

A high-performance electronic control system converts the direct current from the high-voltage battery into three-phase alternating current which is required for the synchronous motors and regulates the energy flow for all operating conditions. Two low-temperature cooling circuits ensure that the four electric motors and the power electronics are maintained at an even operating 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. This helps to preserve the overall service life of the battery. In extremely high external temperatures, the cooling circuit for the battery can be additionally boosted with the aid of the air conditioning system.

Low Center of Gravity

The purely electric drive system was taken into consideration early in the development of the SLS AMG. Thus, the SLS easily integrates the high-performance, zero-emission technology into its structure: for example, the four electric motors and the two transmissions can be positioned as close to the four wheels as possible and very low down in the vehicle. The same applies to the modular high-current battery, whose modules are located in front of the firewall, in the center tunnel and behind the seats. Advantages of this solution include the vehicle's low center of gravity and balanced weight distribution - ideal conditions for optimum handling, which the electrically-powered SLS AMG shares with its gasoline-powered sister model.

The installation of the drive components required no changes whatsoever to the car's weight-optimized aluminum spaceframe, and there were just as few constraints when it came to maintaining the excellent level of passive safety and high degree of long-distance comfort that are hallmarks of Mercedes-Benz cars.

New Front Axle Design

The additional front-wheel drive called for a newly designed front axle: unlike the series production vehicle with AMG V8 engine, which has a double wishbone axle, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-CELL features an independent multilink suspension with pushrod damper struts. This is because the vertically-arranged damper struts in the series SLS had to make way for the additional drive shafts. As is usual in a wide variety of racing vehicles, horizontal damper struts are now used, which are operated via separate push rods and transfer levers.

Thanks to this sophisticated front-axle design, which has already been tried and tested in the racing world, the agility and driving dynamics of the electrically-powered SLS AMG attain the same high levels as the V8 variant. Another distinguishing feature is the speed-sensitive power steering with rack-and-pinion steering gear: the power assistance is implemented electrohydraulically rather than just hydraulically.

AMG Ceramic Composite Brakes

The prototype vehicle is slowed with the aid of AMG ceramic composite brakes, available as an optional extra for the series production model, which boast extremely short stopping distances, a precise actuation point and outstanding fade resistance, even in extreme operating conditions. The over-sized discs - measuring 15.8 x 1.5 in. at the front and 14.2 x 1.3 in. at the rear - are made of carbon fiber-strengthened ceramic, feature an integral design all around and are connected to an aluminum bowl in a radially floating arrangement.

The ceramic brake discs are 40 percent lighter in weight than the conventional, grey cast iron brake discs. The reduction in unsprung masses not only improves handling dynamics and agility, but also ride comfort and tire grip. The lower rotating masses at the front axle also ensure a more direct steering response - which is particularly noticeable when taking highway bends at high speed. The ABS and ESP systems have been adapted to match the special handling of the permanent all-wheel drive.

Full-LED Headlamps

The clean, exciting design of the prototype vehicle boasts a number of minor yet extremely effective modifications. At the front, the dynamically shaped full-LED headlamps with integrated daytime driving lights immediately catch the eye: they help to optimize the vehicle's energy efficiency, since they require less power compared with regular bi-xenon headlights. The wider radiator grille also has a new look, and now comes with transverse slats instead of a diamond-pattern. The air outlet openings on the hood and the vehicle sides have also been modified for enhanced aerodynamics. All trim and detachable parts, which are finished in chrome or silver shadow on the standard SLS AMG, are now finished in matte black.

The front apron has not only been brought further forward, but also helps optimize airflow to the underbody. This improves wind resistance while reducing downforce. An extendable front splitter enhances this effect: in parallel with the automatic rear spoiler, it extends downwards by three inches at speeds above 75 mph and helps to further accelerate the air which travels beneath the car. When it reaches the area of the rear axle, the air enters the rear diffuser which, due to the lack of an exhaust system, features a steeper angle, thus increasing downforce at the rear axle and in turn further enhancing the aerodynamic balance. The vehicle's AMG 10-spoke light-alloy wheels feature a new, smooth-surfaced design and are fitted with 265/35 R19 (front) and 295/30 R20 (rear) tires.

Interior with New Display Instruments for Electric Drive

The transformation from gasoline to electric super sports car also called for some specific changes to the interior. As a result, the AMG instrument cluster and center console in particular both feature a new design. The new AMG instrument cluster provides information on speed, charge status of the battery and the estimated range. The newly designed center console now houses a 10-inch touchscreen, which driver and passenger can use to conveniently operate all of the audio, climate and navigation functions, and also obtain information on the flow of power from the four electric motors.

The AMG Drive Unit, which is angled towards the driver, houses buttons for starting the motor, and the ESP functions, the AMG memory function and the extendable front splitter and rear spoiler. Using three new buttons, the driver can switch simply between P, R and D. The park setting is also enabled automatically by switching the electric motors off.

The interior appointments are dominated by high-quality premium leather in a black/white color combination - it has been used not only on the sports seats, the performance leather/alcantara steering wheel and the door linings, but also on the broad center console which runs towards the back of the vehicle between the seats.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-CELL Concept: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications