Mercedes-AMG is accepting
the challenges of motoring
of the future: the SLS AMG
E-CELL is evidence of the
state-of-the-art development
of an exciting super sports
car featuring a
zero-emission high-tech
drive. Boasting a power
output of 535 hp and 880 Nm
of torque, the technology
vehicle from AMG is able to
offer exceptional
performance. The gullwing
with electric drive is part
of the company strategy
entitled "AMG Performance
2015" which aims to
continually improve fuel
consumption and lower
emissions.
With the SLS AMG E-CELL,
Mercedes-AMG is providing a
glimpse of its latest
development project – a
powerful and locally
emission-free super sports
car. Finished in fluorescent
"AMG lumilectric magno"
paint, the gullwing offers
the prospect of a
possible small series
production run and at the
same time reflects the
innovative strength and
development competence of
the AMG performance brand.
"We take social
responsibility very
seriously and with the SLS
AMG E-CELL we are
demonstrating a further
milestone in our "AMG
Performance 2015" strategy.
It is our goal to
continually reduce the fuel
consumption and emissions of
new models in the coming
years, while at the same
time enhancing the core
brand value of performance",
explains Ola Källenius,
chairman of the board (from
1 July 2010) of Mercedes-AMG
GmbH. With the SLS AMG
E-CELL, the performance
brand of Mercedes-Benz is
launching a totally
innovative drive solution
for super sports cars and as
such is among the pioneers
in this market segment.
The ground-breaking drive
system of the technology
vehicle boasts some
outstanding features:
powerful traction is
provided by four synchronous
electric motors with a
combined peak output of 525
hp and a maximum torque of
880 Nm. The four compact
electric motors each achieve
a maximum rpm of 12,000/rpm
and are positioned near to
the wheels. As a result,
compared with wheel-hub
motors the unsprung masses
are substantially reduced.
One transmission per axle
transmits the power.
Acceleration from zero to 62
mph in 4 seconds
When it comes to dynamics,
the electrically-powered SLS
AMG makes a statement: the
gullwing model accelerates
from zero to 100 km/h in 4
seconds – which almost puts
it on the same high level as
the SLS AMG with 6.3-litre
V8 engine developing 571 hp,
which can accelerate to 62
mph in 3.8 seconds.
Further exciting touches are
provided courtesy of the
agile accelerator response
and the straight-line
performance: unlike the
combustion engine, torque
build-up with an electric
motor is instantaneous –
maximum torque is available
virtually from a standstill.
The spontaneous torque
build-up and confident power
delivery - which does not
suffer from any interruption
of tractive power - are
combined with engine running
characteristics which are
totally free of vibration.
Four motors, four wheels:
the intelligent and
permanent all-wheel drive of
the electric SLS guarantees
driving dynamics at the
highest level, while at the
same time providing the best
possible active safety.
Perfect traction is
therefore ensured for all
four driven wheels, whatever
the weather conditions.
This very special gullwing
is therefore able to
"electrify" the driver with
a completely unique,
effortlessly superior and
emotional super sports car
driving sensation – and this
is just at the prototype
stage. In brief: the SLS AMG
E-CELL is a true AMG too.
High-voltage lithium-ion
battery provides 400 v and
40 Ah
The SLS AMG E-CELL drive
incorporates a liquid-cooled
high-voltage lithium-ion
battery featuring a modular
design with an energy
content of 48 kWh and a
capacity of 40 Ah. The
maximum electric load
potential of the battery,
which consists of 324
lithium-ion polymer cells,
is 480 kW, which is an
absolute best value in the
automotive sector. Another
technical feature of this
considerable performance is
the intelligent parallel
circuit of the individual
battery modules – this also
helps to maximise the
safety, reliability and
service life of the battery.
The 400-volt battery is
charged by means of targeted
recuperation during braking
whilst the car is being
driven.
Key data at a glance:
|
|
SLS AMG E-CELL |
|
Max. output |
525 hp |
|
Torque |
880 Nm |
|
0 – 62 mph |
4.0 s |
|
Rated capacity |
40 Ah (at 400 V) |
|
Energy content |
3 x 16 kWh = 48 kWh |
High-performance electronic
control as well as effective
cooling of all components
A high-performance
electronic control system
converts the direct current
from the high-voltage
battery into three-phase
alternating current which is
required for the synchronous
motors and regulates the
energy flow for all
operating conditions. Two
low-temperature cooling
circuits ensure that the
four electric motors and the
power electronics are
maintained at an even
operating temperature. A
separate low-temperature
circuit is responsible for
cooling the high-voltage
lithium-ion battery. In low
external temperatures, the
battery is quickly brought
up to operating temperature
with the aid of an electric
heating element. This helps
to preserve the overall
service life of the battery.
In extremely high external
temperatures, the cooling
circuit for the battery can
be additionally boosted with
the aid of the air
conditioning system.
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
gullwing model was being
developed. 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 as close to the
four wheels as possible 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
balanced weight distribution
– ideal conditions for
optimum handling, which the
electrically-powered SLS AMG
shares with its
petrol-driven sister model.
The installation of the
drive components required no
changes whatsoever to the
gullwing model's
weight-optimised aluminium
spaceframe. 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.
AMGceramic composite brakes
for perfect deceleration
The technology vehicle is
slowed with the aid of AMG
ceramic composite brakes,
available as an optional
extra for the series
production model, which
boast extremely short
stopping distances, a
precise actuation point and
outstanding fade resistance,
even in extreme operating
conditions. The over-sized
discs – measuring 402 x 39
mm at the front and 360 x 32
mm at the rear – are made of
carbon fibre-strengthened
ceramic, feature an integral
design all round and are
connected to an aluminium
bowl in a radially floating
arrangement.
The ceramic brake discs are
40 percent lighter in weight
than the conventional, grey
cast iron brake discs. The
reduction in unsprung masses
not only improves handling
dynamics and agility, but
also ride comfort and tyre
grip. The lower rotating
masses at the front axle
also ensure a more direct
steering response – which is
particularly noticeable when
taking motorway bends at
high speed. The ABS and ESP®
systems have been adapted to
match the special
application spectrum of the
permanent all-wheel drive.
Interior with new display
instruments for electric
drive
The transformation from
petrol to electric super
sports car also called for
some specific changes to the
interior. As a result, the
AMG instrument cluster and
centre console in particular
both feature a new design.
The new AMG instrument
cluster provides information
on speed, charge status of
the battery and the
estimated range. The newly
designed centre console now
houses a 25 cm touchscreen,
which driver and passenger
can use to conveniently
operate all of the audio,
climate and navigation
functions, and also obtain
information on the flow of
power from the four electric
motors.
The AMG Drive Unit, which is
angled towards the driver,
houses buttons for starting
the motor, and the ESP®
functions, the AMG memory
function and the extendable
front splitter and rear
spoiler. Using three new
buttons, the driver can
switch simply between P, R
and D. The park setting is
also enabled automatically
by switching the electric
motors off.
The interior appointments
are dominated by
high-quality nappa leather
in a black/white colour
combination – it has been
used not only on the sports
seats, the performance
leather/alcantara steering
wheel and the door linings,
but also on the broad centre
tunnel which runs towards
the back of the vehicle
between the seats.
