It's the real deal. The first photo of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has leaked. The above image comes courtesy of German automotive magazine Auto Bild and, according to our European sources, is nothing short of the actual car. Shown are front and rear three quarter views paying plenty of homage to the legendary 300 SL "Gullwing."
A key difference, however, could be the engine. The standard SLS uses a reworked V-8 from the SL63 and produces 571 hp and 479 lb-ft. But if you want more, you'll have to go electric. Mercedes is developing a plug-in electric version of the SLS that could appear in limited production in 2015, Autocar reports.
Called the SLS eDrive, the zero-emission coupe would offer around 525 hp and 649 lb-ft of torque from four electric motors. The motors route power to each wheel through a planetary drive set. Wolf Zimmermann, who is heading eDrive development, puts 0-62 mph at sub-four seconds and a top speed of over 120 mph.
The eDrive would use a modified version of the rear-drive platform, with batteries occupying space normally reserved for a torque tube and gas tank. A pushrod suspension with horizontally mounted coilover dampers replaces the wishbones up front to free space. Autocar reports a range between 93 and 112 miles.
Thanks to: Motor Trend