2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive: Sexy, But Expensive

Home

News

Electric Cars

2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive: Sexy, But Expensive

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield

2,044 views Sep 27, 2012

Follow Nikki

Add to circle

2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive

Related Photo Galleries

See more photos »

2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive

Enlarge Photo

A few years ago, Mercedes-Benz teased us with the possibility that it would be building an all-electric version of its iconic gullwing supercar, the SLS AMG.

Today, on the opening day of the 2012 Paris Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz gave us the news we’d all been waiting for: the 2013 SLS AMG Electric Drive will go on sale in 2013.

The two year wait, from concept to production status, is over for the sexy supercar.

Powered by not one, but four electric motors producing a total of 552 kilowatts of power and 737 pound-feet of torque, the SLS AMG Electric Drive can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds.

From there, it can reach an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph.

As MotorAuthority points out, that kind of performance isn’t far off the top-spec gas-powered SLS AMG.

And with one motor per wheel, the SLS AMG Electric Drive makes use of a feature Mercedes Benz calls AMG Torque Dynamics.

With independent control of all four motors, the Torque Dynamics system improves not only handling, but safety, adding or removing power to each wheel as necessary to keep the car under control.

Because of its 1,200 pound, 60 kilowatt-hour battery pack, the SLS AMG Electric has been given a full carbon fiber monocoque to help it stay nimble. As a consequence, range is a respectable 150 miles on mixed roads.

Recharging its substantial battery pack takes around 20 hours from a standard level 2 charging station, or within 3 hours using an optional 22-kilowatt quick charging station.

The only bad bit is the price: when it launches in Germany next year, it will be sold for €416,500, including a 19 percent purchase tax.

Even after removing that purchase tax, and assuming it will be sold in the U.S. (which Mercedes-Benz has yet to confirm), that’s the equivalent of a cool $434,600.

Or put another way, four 2012 Tesla Model S Signatures Sport Sedans.

It’s certainly desirable, but would you buy one?

Let us know in the Comments below.

+++++++++++

Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook and Twitter.

HI-RES GALLERY: 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive

Tags:

Posted in:

Electric Cars

Contribute

Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor

People Who Read This Article Also Read

Have an opinion?

Comments (5)

Luke Nolastname Posted: 9/27/2012 10:08am PDT

"Weighing in at just over 1,200 pounds, the SLS AMG Electric has been given a full carbon fiber monocoque to help it stay nimble,..."

You're off by a massive amount on this figure, more than the conversion between lbs-kG. If you're referring to the mass of the chassis alone and not the car, it's phrased in a way that makes it seem as though you're claiming the car is ~200lbs lighter than an F1 car, when it's closer to the weight of 3 F1 cars.

Upon further searching, it claims the weight of the battery alone for the vehicle is the 1,200lbs number.

Post Reply

Bad stuff?

Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield Posted: 9/27/2012 12:28pm PDT

You're right Luke. We've fixed the error, and thanks.

Post Reply

Vote

Bad stuff?

Bruce Gast Posted: 9/27/2012 3:40pm PDT

ElectricCars.com says... hmmm, they could have used some consulting on this one. I mean maybe $334,600 maybe?... $434,600 is just a little beyond 99.999999999 percent of the public! Meanwhile, China is investing more than 50 billion into "affordable" electric cars. China is not shy about saying they will take over the auto industry selling electric cars in the $24,000 range, you know cars people WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD!!!. Glad Mercedes isn't building our refridgerators and microwaves!

Post Reply

Bad stuff?

CDspeed . Posted: 9/27/2012 3:51pm PDT

I'd like to see the BMW i8 compete against the Mercedes, I just hope it doesn't try to compete in the same price bracket. The price of the SLS-ED unfortunately suggests that it is only intended to be a collectors item for wealthy car collectors.

Post Reply

Vote

Bad stuff?

Samuel Hoogendoorn Posted: 12/3/2012 4:19pm PST

This is a car for the true enthusiast who wants something new, or a rich guy who wants eco-cred while showing off his portfolio. Old Technology...a Ferrari is old. A Lamborghini is old. A Bentley is unashamably old-school. Electric super cars are new and extremely cool. However, the price that Mercedes is asking for these rare beauties is over the top. Even a Lamborghini Aventador can be had for about $60,000 less.

Post Reply

Vote

Bad stuff?