Mercedes-Benz sets new electric record at the Ring

Mercedes has knocked off Audi at the NÃ¼rburgring once again. First, Mercedes took Audi’s crown at the NÃ¼rburgring 24 hour race, now the three-pointed star has set a new lap record for an electric-powered production vehicle around the Nordschleife.

At the wheel of an SLS AMG Electric Drive Markus Hofbauer lapped the 20.832km north loop in 7 minutes 56.234 seconds. That’s comfortably quicker than the previous mark of 8 minutes 9 seconds held by the Audi R8 e-tron.

There’s no video of the lap at this stage, but Ola KÃ¤llenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG, isn’t missing his chance to brag about the achievement.

â€œMercedes-AMG impressively shows the potential of the SLS AMG CoupÃ© Electric Drive with this new record on the NÃ¼rburgring Nordschleife. Mercedes-AMG is the first vehicle manufacturer to have circled the Nordschleife in under eight minutes with an electrically-powered series production vehicle. This record run is further proof for our constant innovative vigour,â€ KÃ¤llenius proclaimed.

This record is the perfect way to kick off the sales launch of the electric SLS AMG, which boasts key figures of 751hp (552kW)/1000Nm. Power comes from four motors, one placed at each wheel. Weighing 45kg each the motors can be controlled individually by the AMG Torque Dynamics system. The 100km/h sprint can be done in only 3.9 seconds and Mercedes claims a range of 250km if you behave.

While Mercedes can lay claim to producing the fastest electric-powered production vehicle around the Green Hell, they’re still some way off the outright electric record, which is currently held by the Toyota TMG EV P002 (7 minutes 22.329 seconds).

Mercedes-AMG establishes lap record in the “GrÃ¼ne HÃ¶lle”

SLS AMG CoupÃ© Electric Drive masters Nordschleife in 7:56.234 minutes

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG CoupÃ© Electric Drive has lapped the NÃ¼rburgring Nordschleife (â€œnorth loopâ€) in a record time of 7:56.234 minutes. Therefore, the electric AMG super sports car is at the same time the first electrically-powered series production vehicle to have mastered the legendary race track in under eight minutes. The record time of the SLS AMG CoupÃ© Electric Drive has been certified so, two weeks after the first overall win for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 in the NÃ¼rburgring 24 Hours, another member of the SLS AMG family has impressively demonstrated its potential on the most difficult race track in the world.

â€œFor the first time, an electrically-powered series production vehicle has lapped the NÃ¼rburgring Nordscheife in under eight minutes. The record for the SLS AMG CoupÃ© Electric Drive in 7:56.234 minutes on the Nordschleife shows the special position of our innovative and unique drive solution. With the extremely efficient battery technology deriving from Formula 1, four electric motors positioned close to the wheels, the individual wheel torques â€˜AMG Torque Dynamicsâ€™, the SLS eSound and our ambitious â€˜AMG Lightweight Performanceâ€™ design strategy, the SLS AMG CoupÃ© Electric Drive generates a breathtaking sensation unlike any other model out on the road,â€ according to Tobias Moers, Head of Overall Vehicle Development and member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

The SLS AMG CoupÃ© Electric Drive, with which Mercedes-AMG set the record on the 20.832 km long race track in the Eifel, corresponds to the series version, which celebrates its launch in June 2013. The strongest current AMG high-performance car has four electrical motors with a total output of 751 hp and maximum torque of 1,000 Nm.

The gullwing car is therefore advancing to become the strongest and fastest electrically-powered series production vehicle in the world. The SLS AMG CoupÃ© Electric Drive accelerates from zero to 62 mph in a mere 3.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 155mph (electronically limited).

A new dimension of driving performance â€“ the AMG brand pledge is fulfilled to remarkable effect by the outstanding performance dynamics, which come courtesy of AMG Torque Dynamics and are made possible by the wheel-selective all-wheel drive. The most “electrifying” gullwing model ever has been developed in-house by Mercedes-AMG GmbH. The extremely powerful high-voltage battery for the SLS AMG CoupÃ© Electric Drive is the result of the collaboration between Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth in the UK and is setting the pace in energy density, power density and efficiency. Here, the British Formula 1 experts were able to draw on their extensive experience with KERS hybrid concepts.

The car’s agile response to movements of the accelerator pedal and the linear power output are a source of pure delight: unlike with a combustion engine, the build-up of torque is instantaneous with electric motors â€“ maximum torque is effectively available from standstill. The spontaneous torque build-up and immense power delivery without any interruption in traction on the one hand are combined with completely vibration-free motor running characteristics on the other.

An overview of the most important data:

SLS AMG CoupÃ© Electric Drive

Max. output: 751 hp
Torque: 1,000 Nm
0-62 mph: 3.9 s
Top speed: 155 mph*
Range: 155 miles (according to NEDC)
Battery energy content: 60 kWh
Battery voltage: 400 volts
CO2 emissions: 0 g/km

*Electronically limited

All-wheel drive with AMG Torque Dynamics offers new-found freedom

Four motors, four wheels â€“ the intelligent and permanent all-wheel drive of the SLS AMG CoupÃ© Electric Drive guarantees driving dynamics of the highest calibre, while at the same time providing the best possible active safety. Optimum traction of the four driven wheels is therefore ensured, whatever the weather conditions. According to the developers, the term “AMG Torque Dynamics” refers to individual control of the electric motors, something which enables completely new levels of freedom to be achieved. The AMG Torque Dynamics feature is permanently active and allows for selective distribution of power to each individual wheel. The intelligent distribution of drive torque has a beneficial effect on driving dynamics, handling, driving safety and ride comfort. Each individual wheel can be both electrically driven and electrically braked in accordance with the specific driving situation, thus helping to:

optimise the vehicle’s cornering properties
reduce the tendency to oversteer/understeer
increase the yaw damping of the basic vehicle
reduce the steering effort and steering angle required
increase traction
and minimise ESPÂ® and ASR intervention

The AMG Torque Dynamics feature boasts a high degree of variability and individuality by offering three different driving modes:

Comfort (C): comfortable, forgiving driving characteristics
Sport (S): sporty, balanced driving characteristics
Sport plus (S+): sporty, very agile driving characteristics

Manufaktur hand finishing at company headquarters in Affalterbach

Mercedes-AMG has installed a dedicated Manufaktur hand-finishing section for electric vehicles at its headquarters in Affalterbach for final assembly of the SLS AMG CoupÃ© Electric Drive. The electrically powered gullwing model is assembled and readied for operation at a total of seven different stations. The entire logistics process is based in Affalterbach, too.

Production of parts such as the exterior and interior initially takes place at the Mercedes-Benz production facility in Sindelfingen. In Affalterbach, highly trained workers take charge of assembling the axles, electric motors, transmissions and cooling system components. Particular care is taken with the installation of all high-voltage components, such as the liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery, the accompanying cables, inverter and control units, and the onboard charger. Needless to say, the utmost standards of safety are applied during all work on high-voltage components. The operational check and extensive final inspection at the end ensure that the manufacturing and product quality offered by the SLS AMG CoupÃ© Electric Drive is of the very highest order.