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2011 NAIAS: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell Prototype

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell PrototypeMercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-Cell Prototype
More than a year ago, Mercedes-Benz officially revealed plans to make a fully-electric version of the stunning SLS AMG supercar. Now, the German carmaker has brought the prototype model of the car, called the SLS AMG E-Cell, to the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

On the prototype, Stuttgart electric car specialists and engineers replaced the “stands” SLS AMG's 571HP 6.3-liter V8 petrol engine with four electric motors placed near the wheels effectively making it a four-wheel drive model. The gullwing with electric drive is part of the company strategy entitled "AMG Performance 2015" which aims to continually reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Total output is rated at 392kW or the equivalent of 526 hp and a maximum torque of 880 Nm (649 lb-ft). The German carmaker estimates a zero to 100 km/h (62mph) time of around 4 seconds.

The juice for all those motors comes from a 400-volt, liquid-cooled high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack that is rechargeable under braking. The battery pack is was placed in front of the firewall, in the central tunnel and behind the seats, in order to balance weight distribution and lower its keep the weight as low to the ground as possible. As a testament of German engineering, no changes to the Gullwing model's aluminum spaceframe body were made to accommodate the electric powertrain.

As technologically advanced as the prototype might be, the most striking thing about it i the bright "AMG lumilectric magno" paint job. The all-electric Gullwing gets a unique front apron with an expendable front splitter, color coded grille trim, revised air vents, dark finish for the mirrors and wheels and a new rear diffuser that does away with the standard model's tail pipes.

Inside, there's a revised instrument cluster with speed, charge status, and estimated range displays, and a new touch-screen infotainment system that not only operates audio, climate, and navigation functions but also displays the flow of power from the four electric motors.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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