With the majority of manufacturers jostling to get their share of the ever-increasing hybrid fraternity in an attempt to reduce their carbon footprints, Mercedes-Benz is one of the very few that are attempting electric vehicles, let alone an all-electric supercar.
The Stuttgart-based manufacturer has just previewed the ECELL prototype, which is based on the SLS supercar. Not much has changed with regard to the exterior, other than a wider front grille LED headlamps, new bonnet vents and 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels wrapped in 265/35 and 295/30 tyres respectively.
The E-CELL is powered by lithium-ion polymer battery modules located in the centre tunnel behind the two seats that produce 392 kW and 880 N.m of torque. Mercedes-Benz hasn’t included any details about the battery pack’s range or how it’s recharged, but does claim it will sprint to 100 km/h from zero in around four seconds…
To accommodate the new powertrain, engineers have had to make use of an independent multilink front suspension with pushrod damper struts, instead of the double wishbone used by the petrol-powered SLS.
The E-CELL also features two cooling circuits reduce heat build-up, an extended front apron that assists airflow under the body, an extendable front splitter which the driver can control from the cockpit, and optional ceramic composite brakes. The interior features an AMG instrument cluster with displays for speed, charge status, a mix of leather and Alcantara for the seats and a 10-inch touch screen among others.
