What was it? The SLS AMG Electric Drive was billed as the world’s first proper electric supercar. Beneath its iconic gullwing doors sat four electric motors producing 740bhp and 738lb ft of torque. Despite tipping the scales at over two tonnes – with a 548kg battery pack supplied by Mercedes’ F1-derived High Performance Powertrains – it could still launch from 0–62mph in 3.9 seconds.
Did any make it to customers? Yes, but only a handful. AMG insisted it wasn’t just a prototype and put the car on sale for around €1 million. Between 2013 and 2015, it’s believed only nine examples were delivered worldwide.
Where is it now in the AMG story? The SLS ED never spawned a direct successor. AMG’s current EV offerings – the EQE and EQS 53 – are fast but uninspiring to drive, and even heavier than the SLS Electric Drive. There is, however, an all-electric four-door AMG in development with around 1,000bhp. Perhaps that will finally translate AMG’s trademark ferocity into the electric age.
