Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in around 4 seconds!

Are you serious, an SLS AMG with electric drive? It appears Mercedes-AMG is developing a zero-emission high-tech drive for their high-performance AMG model range of sports cars. The drive system includes four electric motors positioned near the wheels with one transmission per axle that will transmit the power. Below is the official Mercedes-AMG press release dated July 16, 2009.

AMG Market/PR News from Mercedes-AMG/Affalterbach – Mercedes-AMG is paving the way ahead: with the new SLS AMG with electric drive, the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars is developing an exciting super sports car with zero-emission high-tech drive. This model sees Mercedes-Benz and AMG displaying their expertise in the development of alternative drive solutions for high-performance super sports cars, delivering further proof of their pioneering status in this market segment.  [Non-Electric SLS AMG Gullwing Photo Gallery here.] Continue reading » »

Daimler’s interest in battery systems, electric drive systems and related vehicle projects leads to the automaker acquiring nearly 10 percent of one of the leading electric vehicle companies, Tesla Motors Inc. This investment deepens the relationship between the inventor of the automobile and the newest member of the global auto industry. Tesla is the only production automaker selling a highway capable electric vehicle in North America and Europe.

The two companies have already been working closely to integrate Tesla’s lithium-ion battery packs and charging electronics into the first 1,000 units of Daimler’s electric smart car. In order to benefit from each other’s know-how, the investment enables the partners to collaborate even more closely on the development of Continue reading » »

Powering a New Class of Hybrids

Mercedes has announced plans to produce the first hybrid cars with
powerful lithium-ion batteries. The cars won't roll off the assembly
lines until 2009, but the Germans are hoping to break Japanese
dominance of the electric-motor market.

Mercedes-Benz will unveil a new car battery this week. It uses about
as much space as a conventional lead battery (meant only to start
engines), but it packs a whopping 120 volts — about ten times the
power of its more ordinary cousin — and it will be used, starting
next year, in the luxury Mercedes S-Class line of hybrids.

The S-Class will be the world's first

Continue reading » »