Daimler Previews Work on Electric Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Sportscar
16 July 2009
| Components of the electric SLS AMG. Click to enlarge. |
Mercedes-AMG, the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars, is developing a battery electric version of its upcoming SLS AMG sportscar, now in vehicle testing. The electric drive SLS AMG uses four electric motors with a combined peak output of 392 kW (526 hp) and maximum torque of 880 N·m (649 lb-ft).
The electric gull-wing model accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in around 4 seconds—putting it on the same level as the conventional SLS AMG with a 6.3-liter V8 engine developing 420 kW/571 hp. The conventional SLS AMG is scheduled to be launched in spring 2010.
| The conventional SLS AMG undergoing vehicle testing. Click to enlarge. |
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 optimized power transmission without any losses by means of torque vectoring.
In its first pilot phase, the SLS AMG with electric drive incorporates a modular, liquid-cooled, 400V 48 kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack. Pack modules are located in front of the firewall, in the center tunnel, and behind the seats. Advantages of this solution include the vehicle’s low center of gravity and the balanced weight distribution.
The installation of the drive components required no changes to the SLS AMG’s aluminium spaceframe body. Daimler said that the purely electric drive system was factored in as early as the concept phase when the new gull-wing model was being developed by Mercedes-Benz and AMG. The design and development phase for the SLS AMG got underway in the last quarter of 2006.
Daimler said that Deutsche Accumotive GmbH & Co. KG, a joint venture between Daimler AG and Evonik Industries AG (earlier post), 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.
In May, Daimler took a 10% equity stake in electric car maker Tesla Motors (earlier post), and subsequently sold 40% of that to its new major shareholder Aabar Investments PJSC (Aabar), of Abu Dhabi, in their first joint strategic project (earlier post).
Range? How can you post something about a new EV without saying how far it goes on a charge?
Posted by: ai_vin | 16 July 2009 at 07:42 AM
"aluminium spaceframe body"
"48 kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack"
I would say at least 200 mile range. This is a preliminary announcement about a product to be offered in an emerging market.
Posted by: SJC | 16 July 2009 at 08:00 AM
Why is MB, and so many others, are still in the fastest, most powerful, best accelleration mode?
Do we really need race e-cars?
Why not mass produce affordable light weight PHEVs/BEVs with selectable (ultra light and small) range extenders to suit individual buyer requirement.
Public $$$$ should not be used to develop and make e-cars that the majority cannot afford.
Posted by: HarveyD | 16 July 2009 at 11:12 AM
HarveyD - check again, this is AMG not a core Mercedes-Benz product.
Why not ask why Ferrari doesn't just make 50hp engines for their Enzo and ask why Porsche doesn't just make 3-cylinder motors for the Carrerra GT, because this vehicle pretty much competes with those. If you don't like it, why don't you try talking to the customers and appeal to the ultra-rich multi-millionaires to stop purchasing such vehicles.
Posted by: Patrick | 16 July 2009 at 11:37 AM
Re: range question:
Note the phrasing:
'In its first pilot phase, the SLS AMG with electric drive incorporates a modular, liquid-cooled, 400V 48 kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack.'
This sounds very much to me as though AMG hope that more powerful batteries will be available by launch 2015- don't forget that price is no object on these cars, so quoting range would not be sensible.
I would guess that they will have at least 60kwh available at launch, but the range may still be a bit limited - after all, the point of this car is to drive it hard.
You have to fill the petrol versions up pretty quickly too!
The bit I like most about this car is the separate motors for each wheel, but places outside the wheel to reduce unsprung weight.
However, this means that they are putting in a gearbox for every wheel, which may be OK for a supercar but may be too expensive for normal motors.
Posted by: Davemart | 16 July 2009 at 01:40 PM
Samsung-Bosche have bought Cobasys.
http://www.reuters.com/article/americasDealsNews/idUSTRE56D1FI20090714
Maybe now we can see some competent performance out of Cobasys.
Posted by: SJC | 16 July 2009 at 07:19 PM
This is the future for all the sports car manufacturers, Porsche and Ferrari included.
Big battery and big electric motors, but unlike this concept also with a small range extender gasoline engine (say 50 kW) to allay all range concerns.
This is the only way they can continue to produce 500 hp 0-60 in 4 second cars while reducing CO2 output to less than 130 g/km as required in the EU.
Posted by: clett | 17 July 2009 at 01:31 AM
I think this is very exciting (as a spectator).
I would be interested in the design and operation of the “four electric motors and the two transmissions”.
Such are the design challenges that put Tesla at risk until they get cash flowing.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 17 July 2009 at 09:11 PM
An alternative approach for high-performance sports car would be to use one motor for rear wheels, another for front whells. Basically use two systems currently used in Tesla roadster, one in the rear, another (somewhat smaller) in front.
Each system would consist of an e-motor, transmission with integral (open) differential and inverter.
Which one is better?
It would depend on their weight, efficiency, size, price and perhaps complexity and reliability.
Posted by: MG | 18 July 2009 at 03:22 PM
.
"Public $$$$ should not be used to develop and make e-cars that the majority cannot afford."
Public $$$$ (the government forcibly taking money from me) should not be used to develop and make any cars. I am perfectly capable of deciding where to invest my money. I don't need a corrupt politician with a bloated, over-paid, staff, doing it for me.
Where industry will not do research because they see no end payoff, **possibly** my money (tax $$$) could be used for funding - see space travel for example.
.
Posted by: The Goracle | 21 July 2009 at 05:39 AM
Spend money on Space Travel?
The only Space Travel we will be doing shortly is from your leaky roof shack to your outhouse.
For that we don't need to go from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds,unless you have "Duenschiss"!
Posted by: cacada | 25 July 2009 at 03:36 PM
Support FREE exchange of carbon offsets! Say no to cap and trade!
Posted by: Account Deleted | 31 July 2009 at 01:05 PM