Mercedes-Benz's tuning wing AMG is busy preparing the SLS supercar for unveiling at the
Frankfurt Motor Show in September but behind the scenes its boffins are rumoured to be preparing an electric version. A report in
Autocar suggests that the SLS's lightweight aluminium structure will be fitted with plug-in electric power in place of its conventional V8 petrol engine. The 'eDrive' SLS is expected to reach showrooms by 2015.
The as yet to be fully unveiled petrol-engined car will deliver 571bhp, so the eDrive version will need to get close to that to provide the sort of performance AMG customers expect. It's thought that the plug-in SLS will reach 62mph in less than four seconds and achieve a 120mph top speed - not quite the near 200mph cruising ability of its petrol relative. Range and charging times will be more important than autobahn-storming top speeds though, the SLS expected to take eight hours to fully recharge via conventional mains power.
Serious revisions under the SLS's retro-looking gullwing doored body will be required to accommodate an electric drivetrain. Batteries will be placed where the fuel tank would usually reside, behind the driver and passenger, while the transmission tunnel and more space under the bonnet would be needed to house the SLS's batteries.
Mercedes's parent company Daimler holds a stake in electric drivetrain and battery specialists Tesla so the eDrive SLS is certain to feature the latest lithium-ion battery technology for quick charging and plenty of power. That tie-up will produce the electric Smart car in 2012, though the SLS is likely to cater for a green audience at a completely different end of the price and performance spectrum.
Kyle Fortune - 13 Jul 2009