Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive -- the most powerful production electric car in the world.
Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, the leccy SLS will go on sale here in the UK next summer.
Unlike the petrol-powered SLS, the Electric Drive has four electric motors, one driving each wheel, and this means, fact fans, that the SLS is a four-wheel drive car.
In total, the Electric Drive develops 730bhp and 738lb-ft of torque, which translates into a 0-62mph time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. By comparison, the fossil-burning SLS develops just 563bhp and 479lb-ft of torque; however, it's significantly lighter than the Electric Drive, and is therefore a tenth of a second quicker to 62mph.
The SLS's motors are powered by a lithium-ion battery with a total energy content of 60kWh which -- theoretically, at least -- gives a range of 155-miles. The battery can be recharged in around three hours using a 22kW fast charging unit; however, it takes a full 20 hours if you're using a conventional 13A socket.
To distinguish the SLS Electric Drive from its planet-killing brethren, Mercedes has added a bigger front splitter, gloss black front wings and fins in the bonnet. On top of this, you get a colour-coded front grille and new alloys which are 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the back.
To make up for the fact that the SLS Electric Drive lacks the V8 bellow of the standard car, Benz has developed a special synthesised noise which is said to add "a distinctive and unique signature" to the car.
The SLS Electric Drive will be available in both hard-top and convertible form when it goes on sale next summer.
Prices have yet to be decided, but are figure in the £330,000 region is expected -- double the price of the standard car.
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