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Mercedes has confirmed that it will build an all-electric version of its gullwing SLS supercar.
This is exciting news. We've already had a quick drive in a petrol-powered prototype SLS, and it's set to be one of the cars of the year.
So the SLS could be the first true all-electric hypercar: it'll be powered by four electric motors - one for each wheel - putting out a combined 526bhp and a whopping 649lb ft of torque. The V8 petrol SLS develops 563bhp and 479bhp.
Which means the electric SLS will be quick. Merc says it'll hit 60mph in four seconds flat, which slaps it straight into genuine hypercar territory. Because it's four-wheel drive, it should be grippy, too - Mercedes engineers say that, despite the added weight of the batteries, they have managed to keep the centre of gravity as low as the petrol SLS.
We don't know how far it'll go on a single charge, but it has a slightly lower battery capacity than the smaller, less powerful Tesla Roadster, so we reckon you'll struggle to top 200 miles.
Speaking of Tesla, Daimler recently invested $50 million for a 10 per cent stake in the Californian company, enabling it to utilise Tesla's battery technology. Mercedes hasn't confirmed when we'll see the electric SLS, though the Tesla deal should enable the German firm to roll out the technology within the next year.
So, Top Gearers, what do you think of an electric SLS? Can a battery-powered coupe be a genuine hypercar?
Now watch Jeremy drive the Tesla Roadster:
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
Kirbdawg commented on this article
at 02:32 pm on 23 July 2009
Surely the eSLS will weigh a lot more than a Tesla? Combined with lower battery capacity, I reckon it'll just about get you to the local chippy and back. Still, it'll get you there sodding quickly. Despite the center of gravity being lower, will each corner of the car not have a higher mass and therefore be more likely to cross the line of death if you slide it? Has the stig got life insurance for when he takes it round the track? Or is he a robot and therefore is not alive and does not need life insurance? What about a parts warranty? If The Stig was made by Kia, he'll be good for 7 years and have a iPod connector in his ear!
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deiv007 commented on this article
at 02:37 pm on 23 July 2009
no i just dont think its gonna work
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nHeroGo commented on this article
at 03:21 pm on 23 July 2009
Recommendation: Make the hood twice as long and put a lot more AA's in there so that you can race a mushroom through France - every gas station is bound to have lots of AAs.
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ScreenName commented on this article
at 03:46 pm on 23 July 2009
So when you flog the electric SLS you will go very quickly, for about five minutes. Then you will sit by the plug for the next seventeen days waiting for five more minutes of pants-crappingly quick accelleration.
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JamesDunham commented on this article
at 04:02 pm on 23 July 2009
I think it is the right way but as always things need time... The Tesla wasn't brilliant but the more of these electric sports cars there are the better they will get. I'd like to see it on the show as soon as it is finished...
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