Mercedes-AMG is reportedly gearing up to reveal a “brand-defining successor to the SLS Electric Drive” later this decade that will fly the flag for the German performance brand in its electric transformation.
As reported by Autocar, this as-yet unnamed high-performance electric halo model was previewed by the retro-looking 2023 Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven concept that itself was inspired by the original 1969 C 111 concept.
The electric AMG supercar will reportedly be the second model underpinned by the forthcoming AMG.EA architecture, following the AMG GT 4 Door successor due next year.
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Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven concept
It will also reportedly outperform the Mercedes-AMG One, which has a Formula 1-derived V6 hybrid powertrain good for a 0-100km/h sprint in 2.9 seconds.
Power will reportedly come from axial-flux electric motors sourced from wholly owned subsidiary YASA. Production of these will start as soon as next year at Mercedes’ Berlin-Marienfelde plant.
The company has already supplied axial-flux electric motors for the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and Koenigsegg Regera plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).
The forthcoming AMG supercar’s axial-flux electric motors will reportedly produce more than twice the power of YASA’s existing electric motors from a power-to-weight perspective – up to 364kW of power and 800Nm, with a weight of 24kg.
At this stage it’s unclear how many electric motors this Mercedes-AMG supercar will have.
YASA officials told Autocar its has developed a range of powertrain layouts for AMG.EA-based models. Examples include single-motor front, dual-motor rear, as well as quad-motor with two front and two rear units.
The electric motors will reportedly be fed by a cylindrical-cell lithium-ion battery from US battery specialist Sila. It will feature an 800V electric architecture.
Unlike the Mercedes-Benz SLS Electric Drive, which was limited to just nine examples, the new electric AMG supercar will reportedly have significantly higher production numbers.
“It’s clear that we are going all-electric,” said Mercedes-AMG CEO Michael Schiebe to Autocar. “Customers who came to the brand because of the V8 did not come because they just wanted to have a big engine.
“They came because they loved the technology that we put into the car. So when it comes to electric driving, I’m pretty sure they will jump into that new technology because it will be the latest and greatest that you can get.”
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