Who says hybrids should be boring? Mercedes-Benz definitely doesn’t suppose so, as a result of it has simply unveiled probably the most highly effective model of its iconic SL mannequin ever produced and all that energy is due to electrification.

Effectively, it’s not all all the way down to battery packs and electrical motors, as a result of there may be nonetheless a whopping 4-litre Biturbo V8 engine underneath the hood that itself pumps out a powerful 603bhp. However Mercedes-AMG has paired that with a 201bhp motor on the rear axle for a complete system output of 805bhp. Yeah, we don’t know the place the German marque bought the additional horse from, both.

Essentially the most highly effective SL can be naturally one of many quickest, with Mercedes claiming it may possibly rocket from 0-60mph in simply 2.8-seconds and go on to prime pace of 196mph, which has been electronically restricted. As a result of 200mph would have simply been foolish.

Though hybrid by nature, the awkwardly-monikered SL 63 S E Efficiency can solely really handle eight miles on electrical energy alone, so the 6.1 kWh battery may be very a lot there for an added efficiency increase. 

Apparently, the entire hybrid set-up is “impressed by applied sciences confirmed within the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Crew’s Components 1 hybrid race automobiles”, which sees a direct cooling system labored into the 400V battery system to make sure it’s consistently on the appropriate temperature for optimum energy draw. 4 selectable ranges of regenerative braking feed energy again into the batteries.

All methods go

By way of driving expertise, that is very a lot an AMG product, so a trick all-wheel-drive system can ship energy to no matter axle wants it probably the most, whereas no fewer than seven completely different modes could be chosen, overlaying every part from full electrical (for eight miles, keep in mind) to shouty RACE mode. There’s even rear-axle steering for added dealing with chops.

To take care of the intense quantity of energy on provide, Mercedes-AMG has additionally developed an optionally available AMG Aerodynamics Package deal that options an lively aerodynamic ‘factor’ hid within the underbody in entrance of the engine.

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This routinely lowers at a pace of 50mph or above to create a ‘Venturi impact’, which “sucks the automotive to the highway and reduces front-axle elevate,” based on Mercedes-AMG.

Along with this, engineers have seen match so as to add a retractable rear spoiler that routinely deploys and modifications place relying on the drive mode.

“The SL has at all times been an icon within the Mercedes-Benz portfolio. The newest model of the legendary roadster transfers this standing into the longer term,” Michael Schiebe, CEO of Mercedes-AMG mentioned.

That is only a first search for now, so there’s at the moment no phrase on pricing, however contemplating the ‘common’ SL63 prices over £170,000 / $205,000 / AUS$375,000, you’ll be able to safely wager that it isn’t going to be low-cost.

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