While the intriguing SLS ‘E’ Cell is essentially a silent automobile, its fluorescent “AMG lumilectric magno†paint and clever technology compel us to take notice.
Zero emission SLS ‘E’ Cell
Silent, Socially responsible Supercar
The days of bellowing, shrieking supercars may be numbered if the newest exercise under AMG’s master “AMG Performance 2015″ plan finds an audience. Recognizing the growing expectation that high performance should not be synonymous with high fuel consumption and increasingly unfriendly exhaust emissions, Mercedes’ performance division has been tweaking their generally conventional drivetrain technology. (See June’s AMG 300SEL meets Eco-Friendly S63 article) Their latest project, the E Cell SLS, eschews a conventional drivetrain altogether – there isn’t a hint of an internal combustion engine in sight under that “fluorescent AMG lumilectric magno” bonnet.
Silent, zero emissions SLS features modular 400v battery whose segments sit in the front of the firewall, in the center tunnel and behind the seats. The battery contains 324 lithium-ion polymer cells and maximum output is 392kW (about 526hp).
With a compact electric motor positioned at each wheel, the E-Cell SLS gains four wheel drive grip and a new independent multi-link front suspension with pushrod damper units. Optional on the visceral, bellowing combustion engine SLS, massive ceramic composite brakes are a must for the slick E-Cell as its powertrain provides zero engine braking characteristics.
New LED headlamps flank a wider grille opening for additional cooling efficiency. The more pronounced front apron incorporates an automatically extendable splitter that operates in concert with the rear spoiler.
AMG claims this new ‘technology vehicle’ exhibits similar handling dynamics and agility as the 571hp V-8 variant. While no curb weight was provided, this claim indicates overall weight, weight distribution and unsprung weight must be fairly close to the petrol based production car.
Clever packaging of new high output battery modules and management software preserves weight distribution of V-8 SLS.
How does it drive? View the video below for German Touring Car (and F1) ace David Coulthard’s bemused observations.
Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Photography from Mercedes-Benz
What do you think of an all electric Supercar? Please post your comments below.
11 Responses to “SLS AMG E-Cell: Silent Supercar”
What is there not to like? Although I could see most of the muscle bound crowd in the USA not liking this car cause it doesn’t have a V8.
Am hoping that when these hit the market that my life is in the right phase in order to have one of these in the garage, although I also am waiting for them to expand either the mileage or increase the recharge time prior to my purchase.
Hopefully the E technology of this, and other manufacturers, will get down to all levels of vehicles in order to eliminate our use of petroleum products for transportation. Not likely in the 10 year horizon, but am very confident that in 40 – 50 years that gasoline will not be worth very much.
jb
It will be a matter of time to like a car without noise. I’m old school with old school mercedes cars. I like the smell of gasoline, of combustion etc…but as I said before it will be a matter of time. Take in count the acceleration without too much noise has been a trademark of the not amg mercedes cars. Being fast in a elegant way. The Mercedes way.
Great,
– SLS Stealth Series–
ITS ABOUT TIME COMBUSTION ENGINES ARE A THING OF THE PAST JUST REMEMBER THE GULF OIL SPILL!!!!!!!!!
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION MUST BE AWESOME . IT LOOKS TO BE
A MUCH SIMPLER DRIVE TRAIN, LEES THINGS TO GO WRONG
AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE TO BOOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well !
Can we compare a “quartz” watch with a mechanical one ?
An electric engine is just a standard thing,
So, we will share engine units with washing machines and elevators ahahah very romantic for a supercar !
Speed means nothing without sensations
Regards
BC
This is inspiring, innovative, beautiful AND green….. oh, I want one. Thanks for the update, Roy. I don’t need 571 hp, maybe they will have a beginner model soon! Or driving lessons for those used to conventional slow boring cars.
It’s past time to stop using foreign oil! Maybe we will always need some oil, but we just have to stop depending on Middle East oil. There are 3 fairly easy things that all of us can do now to make a difference. 1- Stop pumping gas into your car! If you have a gas guzzler now, convert it into an electric car (see this blueprint for example). No more gas! 2- Stop using electricity off the electric grid! Either build solar panels (like this one), or build a cheap magnetic generator (like this one). Not very hard! 3- Learn to bike or walk! If you are only going a mile to the shop, walk or bike there. My 2 cents.
I presently own 3 MBZ’s; 500sl AMG; 450slc and a 500sec AMG.
I would love to be a test driver for this SLS AMG E-cell and report my findings to the general public on my experience. MBZ are the best cars in the world and making one that gives you 526hp and is so SEXY LOOKING without polluting the planet is one hell of a “TURN ON”!!!!!!
I can be reached at JDancygier@aol.com. MBZ all the way!!!!! JD:)
… and to think I’ve spent all these years boring my friends and family with my obsession of trying to find a 1950′s 190 shell to convert to electric! …
[...] program, Mercedes-Benz has officially confirmed plans to put the 48 kWh lithium battery powered SLS “E-Cell” Gullwing into production. Essentially as quick as the petrol fueled SLS – .2 seconds slower to 100 [...]
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