Mercedes SLS 2010 NEW!

Mercedes SLS 2010

Prototypes of the super-sport SLS AMG Gullwing still being tested, and Mercedes and AMG announced yet another joint project. Partners are preparing a revolutionary model - in the spirit of the XXI century.: SLS eDrive designed to ... electric.

The draft was not a "hybrid" power unit: internal combustion engine for the future "Merci" non-existent. Instead of V-shaped 6.2-liter "Eight» M159, like SLS AMG Gullwing, 2-person sports coupe is completed, the plan, 4-I (four!) Traction electric motors. One for each of the wheels: four-wheel drive super sports!

Energy Charge

Innovative project as a "native" fits into the architecture of "winged» SLS AMG, which debuted in mid-September at the IAA 2009 in Frankfurt. At the all-aluminum supporting structure organically placed numerous Electrical: traction batteries, thyristor controller, a voltage converter. And of course, e-motors - to 98 kW maximum power each. The total capacity of e-motors - up to 533 hp, the highest torque - 880 Nm. At the level of super-sport, but it's not only (and not so much) in the power and torque.






Under the appearance SLS AMG Gullwing may be hiding in electrical XXI.
Under the appearance SLS AMG Gullwing may be hiding in electrical XXI.


At SLS eDrive has other advantages, and realize that something is not so easy. Tellingly, e-traction motors mounted on the chassis, and not in the rim (as in other projects, e-Mobile). Thus, in order not to increase the unsprung mass. E-motors turning the wheel through the usual half-axis with constant velocity joints-s - like cars and four-wheel drive. And the front suspension layout for a pair of e-motors have to reconstruct: instead of spring-absorber legs - "formula" scheme of push-rod (with a horizontally arranged elastic elements). That's all, whereas the kinematics of the front and rear suspension, on a plan, the same.

E-Traction motors are powered by lithium-ion batteries, packed in 3 packages with a capacity of 16 kW-h. Total to 48 kWh e-energy in the "cruising" mode, enough to be at 400 + kilometers. Already seriously. However, weigh packages, a total of about 4 quintals! And there are (currently) thousand $ 48 - only batteries ... But in the power unit also includes a power and control electronics, e-traction motors. In general, the pleasure is very expensive, and electrical depressingly massive. So that the equipment SLS eDrive be 250 kilograms heavier than its gasoline with a prototype of the Group of Eight. That is, pull at least 1850 kg. But more on all 19 quintals. Agree, when the payload of the vehicle (for SLS eDrive somewhere up to 200 kg) is half the weight than just some traction batteries, the question arises ... is justified whether such a complicated, expensive and impractical design?

Today it is difficult to give a definite answer - is too great uncertainty attendant circumstances. And how appropriate looked 75 years ago, helicopter pilot? Or earliest examples of television receivers? Ridiculous first computer in the II half of the 40's? The risk in the way of technological progress be eliminated - in principle. And who does not risk, as we know, ... all the risks.

Anyway, Mercedes and AMG engineers tend to benefit from even-won, at first glance, the hand. Thus, by placing massive battery very low on the chassis, they are making a noticeable decrease in the height of center of gravity of the car. In addition, a kind of "ballast" allows you to play "weight distribution" axis: wish to 48/52%? For God's sake. And maybe 44/56%? No questions. Key, among other things, properties, which strongly depends on road holding and handling cars. But for super-sport ...

According to representatives of Mercedes-AMG, from the powerful spetsrazema pulling e-SLS eDrive battery charge for 5-6 hours. And from the consumer network (220) for good 8 hours. There is a difference with refueling at the gas station, is not it? All true, but a medal is another side.

The unique layout of the units and assemblies SLS eDrive.
The unique layout of the units and assemblies SLS eDrive.


Electric potential

First of all, economical and environmentally "friendly" e-mobile. In fact, in an atmosphere of a megacity such here SLS eDrive easily cost 10.12 kilowatt-hours e-power 100-km run. Super Sports! Count in rubles ... And at zero (local) emissions of harmful substances. Special highlight: local. For e-energy to "refilling" the battery does not fall from the sky, and is generated at power stations. That burn in the best case, natural gas, and at worst - all the same angle. As for nuclear power and reluctant to start ...

In general, the illusion warranted here: e-mobilized simply moves the question of sources of energy from point A to point B. While not remove it. Yet SLS eDrive does not poison the atmosphere here and now - in the center of a major city. Where the situation is approaching battle - the terms of the world I (Battle of the Somme, etc.).

And for the super-G in the sport that a complete e-drive opens completely unusual opportunity: a unique traction control on the driving wheels. Power electronics finely adjusts the load of each of the e-motors - in real time. Instantaneous change in traction - depending on the current conditions of adhesion of a wheel running surface. Intensive crackdown on wet or slippery road. And not only, most importantly - the active control of the car understeer.

For example, when entering a turn draft is redistributed in favor of the rear axle - and the internal (relative to the turn) wheel. The machine displays a degree of oversteer and willingly zarulivaet in turn. The movement along the curve determined balance traction axles and wheels: more or less neutral understeer. And out of the turn is attached to the car understeer, and he vigorously accelerates, straightening the trajectory and clinging to the road all the 4-th wheels.

For each of them at any moment served only as much traction as needed. For example, in the limit of adhesion to the running surface - in a rapidly changing traffic conditions. Or, in excess of the limit - the intention to disrupt the wheel to slip. Sometimes it was necessary. And in general - a lightning redistribution of torque to the front and rear axles, left and right sides of the game ... fine thrust vector - and the front and rear. Three members of the full e-drive - unmatched road holding and precision control, it only competently prepared for the CPA program. The difficult task in itself - because here an unusually large number of degrees of freedom, in a coherent game and that is the hidden potential in highly dynamic e-mobile. You'll see, SLS eDrive beat the record for "Eight MT» and the "northern loop" cult track Nurburgring - why not?

While the true "drivers" may treat the electric super-sports with doubt: no clutch pedal or gearshift lever. Not serious ... Well, really new is often viewed with skepticism. Initially.

SLS eDrive promised in the (small) serial production by 2015 model year. That is, after 5 years, as told in such cases, Nasreddin Hodja, a check will die, or donkey would die. Wise Hodge was not wrong, but it was not the case. The idea of a super sport with full e-drive is in the air, and the only question is who will be the first. Maybe it was not Mercedes-AMG ...

And in 5 years, traction batteries, no doubt move forward and above: will be more compact, lighter and cheaper. And charge them learn faster - not in 5-6, and 3-4 hours. It is quite another thing, is not it?