Mercedes-Benz and its performance partner AMG have revealed the electric-powered SLS AMG E-Cell supercar.

But performance car fans shouldn’t scoff – with four electric motors (one for each wheel), this silent gullwing sports car almost matches the equivalent 6.3-litre V8-powered SLS AMG. The E-Cell delivers 392kW/880Nm and can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just four seconds (3.8 seconds for the petrol-engined SLS AMG). 

The trick is the four electric motors (one per wheel) are actually positioned near the wheels and drive via one transmission per axle (hence the E-Cell does not suffer from the excessive unsprung weight of normal wheel hub-type electric motors). Each engine spins up to 12,000 rpm.

The E-Cell uses a liquid-cooled 400-volt battery with 324 lithium-ion polymer cells and gains some charge from recuperation during braking.

AMG was able to install all of the electrical components and driveline into a largely unchanged aluminium spaceframe. The front suspension was swapped to an independent multi-link design with horizontal pushrod dampers – those changes necessary to accommodate the front axle driveline. 

Braking is handled by massive carbon fibre –ceramic discs (40 per cent lighter than conventional cast iron discs), there are some bodywork/aerodynamic changes, new 10-spoke alloy wheels (19-inch front/20-inch rear) and of course new instruments to cover the electronics.

The stunning Gullwing and its electric drive system are part of ‘AMG Performance 2015’ – which aims to continually reduce fuel consumption and emissions.