Blue Chrome SLS Electric Drive is Actually Green

Debuting in stunning blue chrome, the Mercedes SLS AMG Coupé Electric Drive hit the show floor today at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, proving performance can come in an electric package.

Four individual electric motors give the car its get up and go, producing 552 kW of power, which is equal to roughly 740 hp. 737 lb-ft of torque is available from the four motors, which helps to propel the car from 0-62 mph in just 3.9 seconds. Charging time is pegged at 20 hours with a conventional wall plug and only three hours with a quick charger, while the range is rated at 155 miles.

The car uses an F1 inspired battery pack, which had its beginnings in the 2009 F1 car driven by Lewis Hamilton. The lithium-iron battery pack weighs in at 1208 lbs, and boasts an electric load potential of 600 kW and an energy content level of 60 kWh. To offset the weight of the electric drive system, the body of the electric SLS is a carbon-fiber monocoque shell.

Other unique features on the all-electric SLS include an artificial exhaust note, designed to produce a tone that lives up to the AMG name, and quite a bit of safety tech. All high-voltage wires are color coded to prevent confusion, the battery pack is liquid cooled, the high-voltage and low-voltage systems are separated within the vehicle, in the event of a collision the high-voltage system is completely shut down and there is also continuous monitoring of the whole system for short circuits.

AMG has extensively engineered the torque dynamics of the car, including adding in three different transmission modes, which are comfort, sport and sport +. Thanks to the four individual wheel motors, the outside and inside wheels can be powered with different amounts of torque to improve cornering and agility. Braking power is provided by carbon ceramic brakes, which also help to reduce weght.