Mercedes-Benz May Produce 526 HP Electric AMG E-CELL

Mercedes-Benz May Produce 526 HP Electric AMG E-CELL «

Mercedes-Benz May Produce 526 HP Electric AMG E-CELL

A year ago, Mercedes-Benz announced that its AMG division was developing an all-electric version of the SLS AMG. Now, details of this vehicle, called the LS AMG E-CELL, have been disclosed. It could be produced in limited volume. The E-CELL is part of the company’s AMG Performance 2015 strategy aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions while retaining the outstanding performance for which the AMG SLS is known.

The AMG E-CELL looks like its V-8 powered sibling with external changes implemented mainly to improve aerodynamics, plus many changes underneath. Electronic black boxes and associated high-voltage cabling replace the V-8 engine under the hood with more power electronics in the rear. Battery modules are located in front of the firewall, in the center tunnel, and behind the seats. Their location was chosen to reduce the car’s center of gravity and for good front/rear weight balance.

Four electric motors installed low in the chassis and close to each wheel provide all-wheel-drive while helping reduce the center of gravity. Together, the four synchronous electric motors provide a total of 526 horsepower and 649 lb-ft of torque. This is a bit less than the V-8 powered gullwing coupe’s 571 horsepower, but who’s counting? With the electric motors’ maximum torque available virtually from zero rpm, the E-CELL can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in four seconds. Wheel hub motors were not used because they increase unsprung weight. A transmission is located on each axle.

Installation of the electric drivetrain did not require any modifications to the SLS aluminum spaceframe. However, adding front-wheel drive required a new front axle. Based on motorsports experience, the new design retains the same outstanding agility and driving dynamics of the V-8 powered gullwing.

The E-CELL uses a liquid-cooled 400 volt battery comprised of 324 lithium-ion polymer cells. The modular design provides an energy content of 48 kilowatt-hours and a capacity of 40 ampere-hours. The battery pack can handle a peak load of 480 kilowatts.

A high-performance electronic control system converts the battery’s direct current into the three-phase alternating current required by the synchronous motors. Two low-temperature cooling circuits maintain the four electric motors and power electronics at proper operating temperatures. A separate low-temperature circuit cools the battery, and under extremely high ambient temperatures the air conditioning system assists this task as well. An electric heating element quickly brings the battery up to operating temperature in cool weather.

The E-CELL’s speed-sensitive, rack-and-pinion power steering is electro-hydraulically controlled. The car is stopped both by regenerative braking and oversized carbon fiber-strengthened ceramic composite brakes that are optional on the AMG SLS. Inside is a new instrument cluster that displays the battery’s state of charge, power flow to the four motors, estimated range, and navigation information.