Mercedes-Benz planning electric SLS Gullwing

Even though Mercedes still continues the development of the SLS AMG Gullwing , British Autocar reports that there is also an all-electric version called Mercedes SLS Gullwing eDrive in development.

According to Brits they have seen some internal documents.

This all electric supercar would use four electric motors in each of the wheel(each motor has 133 hp) that have a total output of 523 horsepower and 649 lb-ft of torque. Gasoline powered SLS AMG Gullwing has 571 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque.

SLS eDrive would accelerate from stop to 62 mph (100 km/h) in four seconds and top speed would be over 120 mph (193 km/h).

The battery pack would be mounted in the transmission tunnel and behind seats. Range would be 93-112 miles (150-180 km). So we are little skeptical is Mercedes really working on something that is due in 2015 and has such a small range. For comparison Tesla Roadster is on sale TODAY, accelerates from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.9 seconds and has a 244 mile (392 km) range per charge.

Update, Mercedes has released official details about the electris SLS AMG:

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMGwith electric drive transforms the vision of powerful and locally emission-free super sports cars into reality thanks to an innovative drive system: powerful forwards thrust is provided by four electric motors with a combined peak output of 392 kW and a maximum torque of 880 Nm. The four electric motors are positioned near the wheels, substantially reducing the unsprung masses compared to wheel-hub motors. One transmission per axle transmits the power. This intelligent all-wheel-drive system allows dynamically optimised power transmission without any losses by means of Torque Vectoring – in other words the specifically targeted acceleration of individual wheels. In its first pilot phase, the SLS AMG with electric drive incorporates a liquid-cooled high-voltage lithium-ion battery of modular design with an energy content of 48 kWh and a capacity of 40 Ah. The 400-volt battery is charged by means of targeted recuperation during braking whilst the car is being driven.
Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in around 4 seconds
When it comes to dynamics, the electrically driven SLS AMGdelivers an unequivocal statement: the swing-wing model accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in around 4 seconds – putting it on the same high level as the SLS AMG with a 6.3-litre V8 engine developing 420 kW/571 hp.
“With the SLS AMG with electric drive, we wanted to redefine the super sports car. For us, it is not just about responsibility. We attach just as much importance to excitement and classic AMGperformance,” says Volker Mornhinweg, Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
Optimum weight distribution and low centre of gravity
The purely electric drive system was factored into the equation as early as the concept phase when the new swing-wing model was being developed by Mercedes-Benz and AMG. It is ideally packaged for the integration of the high-performance, zero-emission technology: by way of example, the four electric motors and the two transmissions can be positioned near the wheels and very low down in the vehicle. The same applies to the modular high-current battery, whose modules are located in front of the firewall, in the centre tunnel and behind the seats. Advantages of this solution include the vehicle’s low centre of gravity and the balanced weight distribution – ideal conditions for optimum handling, which the electrically powered SLS AMG shares with its petrol-driven sister model.
Key data at a glance:

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG with electric drive
Max. output 392 kW
Torque 880 Nm
0-100 km/h Approx. 4 s
Rated capacity 40 Ah (at 400 V)
Energy content 3x 16 kWh = 48 kWh

The installation of the drive components required no changes whatsoever to the swing-wing model’s aluminium spaceframe body. And there were just as few constraints when it came to maintaining the excellent level of passive safety and high degree of long-distance comfort that are hallmarks of Mercedes cars.
Strategic alliance for fast electrification of the car
The electrically powered SLS AMG sees Mercedes-Benz and AMGcontinuing to pursue their aim of minimising the amount of time it takes to bring about the electrification of the car. Their strategic involvement in Deutsche Accumotive GmbH & Co. KG, a joint venture between Daimler AG and Evonik Industries AG, will provide the battery technology required in future. Daimler has the leading role in this joint venture for the development and production of batteries and battery systems for automotive applications.