At every auto show, we walk around to see what other automakers are bringing to the premium segment. Mercedes-Benz put up an impressive display at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. Among the large number of vehicles at the Mercedes exhibit, one stood out in particular: Electric Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
The $550,000 is Mercedes-Benz’s most expensive road-legal car to date. The SLS Electric Drive takes its design cues from the SLS AMG introduced a few years back. The exotic vehicle retains the gullwing doors while getting rid of the exhaust pipes seen on the gas-powered model.
The SLS Electric Drive uses a high-tech driveline consisting of four synchronous electric motors—one at each corner—providing it with permanent four-wheel drive. Total output is 740 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, enough to propel the car to 62 mph in just 3.9 seconds. The car is equipped with two separate gearboxes that provide direct drive to each axle.
At the Paris Auto Show, Mercedes-Benz also celebrated the world premieres of the Concept B-Class Electric Drive that will be available in 2014. The Concept B-Class Electric Drive with a range of 200 kilometers or 120 miles is designed for locally emission free urban mobility.
Another debut, this time European unveiling, was the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Roadster Available in coupe and convertible variants, the SLS AMG GT Roadster sports enhancements to driver dynamics along with lots of ponies under the hood. The maximum output of the AMG 6.3 liter is 591hp at 6,800rpm and 650Nm of torque at 4,750rpm. 0 to 62 mph comes in 3.7 seconds.
Here is a photo gallery of the Mercedes-Benz exhibit in Paris.
