The Mercedes-Benz SLS-Class

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a front-engine, 2-seater luxury grand tourer automobile developed by Mercedes-AMG of German automaker Mercedes-Benz and is the first Mercedes-Benz automobile designed in-house by AMG. The car, which has gull-wing doors is the successor to the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and is described by Mercedes-Benz as a spiritual successor to the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. SLS stands for "Sport Leicht Super" (Sport Light Super). The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is assembled in Sindelfingen, Germany.

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and sales began in mid-2010 in Europe. and in the United States in mid-2011. Mercedes presented at the 2012 Paris Motor Show an electric version of the car, named Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive.

GULL WING DOORS

The SLS AMG was designed to be a modern 300SL Gullwing revival by Mark Fetherston from October 2006 to April 2007. The SLS AMG has also adapted the feature of wing doors that will swing open upwards on gas struts, and the doors must be closed manually as AMG engineers decided against auto-closing systems because the systems would have added 90 pounds (41 kg) to the car. In case of a roll-over, the doors can be fully detached to allow the occupants to leave the vehicle.

SLS AMG E-CELL PROTOTYPE 2011

The drivable prototype is based on SLS AMG Coupé, but is powered by four electric motors that provide a combined 392 kW (533 PS; 526 hp) and 880 N·m (649 lb·ft). The battery is a 400 V lithium battery with a 48 kWh capacity. Other features include pushrod damper struts, 402 x 39 mm front and 360 x 32 mm rear brake discs made in carbon fibre-strengthened ceramic, Full-LED headlamps, AMG 10-spoke light-alloy wheels with smooth-surfaced design, 265/35 R 19 (front) and 295/30 R 20 (rear) tyres, AMG Drive Unit angled towards driver, quality nappa leather in a black/white colour combination at sports seats, performance leather/alcantara steering wheel and the door linings, centre tunnel.

The battery came from Deutsche Accumotive GmbH & Co. KG, a joint venture between Daimler AG and Evonik Industries AG. The drivetrain has been in development since 2010 as a result of the cooperation between Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2011 North American International Auto Show.

The original 1950 spaceframe chassis, left, compared to a simplified AMG design, right.

SLS AMG ELECTRIC DRIVE 2013

The SLS AMG Electric Drive is a limited edition electric version of the SLS AMG released in June 2013. The production vehicle was unveiled in 2012 Paris Motor Show, with market launch initially scheduled for June 2013. Pricing in Germany starts at €416,500 (~ US$544,236).

History

Following the SLS AMG E-CELL prototype premiere, the production of SLS AMG E-CELL was originally announced in 2011 North American International Auto Show.

The production version of SLS AMG E-CELL includes four synchronous electric motors rated 392 kW (533 PS; 526 hp) and 880 N·m (649 lb·ft), 400V 48 kWh lithium-ion battery from Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains (formerly Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines) rated 480 kW (653 PS; 644 hp), woven CFRP battery monocoque, independent multi-link suspension with pushrod damper struts, 402 x 39 mm front and 360 x 32 mm rear brake discs made in carbon fibre-strengthened ceramic. The vehicle was set to go on sale in 2013.

Powertrain

The SLS AMG Electric Drive will be powered by four electric motors with combined ratings of 552 kW (751 PS; 740 hp) and 1,000 N·m (738 lb·ft). Each motor can spin up to 13,000 rpm and weighs 45 kg (99 lb). In addition, the transmission allows each motor to selectively drive all 4 wheels. With this, the SLS AMG Electric Drive accelerates from standing still to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.

Battery

The SLS AMG Electric Drive will include a liquid-cooled 400 V lithium-ion battery rated to 60 kWh that delivers a range of 250 km (160 mi) under the combined New European Driving Cycle. The 548 kg (1,208 lb) battery pack is made up of 12 modules, each comprising 72 lithium-ion cells. The system was designed as a collaboration between Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains Ltd.

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