Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Test drive the Mercedes SLS AMG Electric Drive with Chris Harris]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/11/test-drive-the-mercedes-sls-amg-electric-drive-with-chris-harris/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/11/test-drive-the-mercedes-sls-amg-electric-drive-with-chris-harris/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/04/11/test-drive-the-mercedes-sls-amg-electric-drive-with-chris-harris/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It's hard to not like the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT. The all-aluminum coupe is fitted with a wonderful naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 delivering 583 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. Not only does the burly combustion engine launch the two-seater to 60 miles per hour in less than four seconds, but it does so with one of the world's greatest exhaust soundtracks as it roars, burbles and cackles down the road.

But what happens when Mercedes-Benz takes away the V8 and its accompanying fire-burning song? Stripped of one of its most appealing assets, does the SLS lose its soul?

Chris Harris recently had the opportunity to take the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive for a track spin in Europe. Sans gasoline, but with four electric motors providing a combined 740 horsepower (737 pound-feet of torque), all-electric all-wheel drive coupe uses sophisticated torque vectoring and a multi-mode operating system to put oversteer - drifting! - back into the equation. Fun? You bet. See for yourself, below.

Continue reading Test drive the Mercedes SLS AMG Electric Drive with Chris Harris

Test drive the Mercedes SLS AMG Electric Drive with Chris Harris originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chris harriselectric drivemercedesmercedes slsmercedes sls amgmercedes-benzmercedes-benz slsmercedes-benz sls amg electric drivevideoThu, 11 Apr 2013 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20537628/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/11/test-drive-the-mercedes-sls-amg-electric-drive-with-chris-harris/20537628/article-detail.xml 20537628 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/sls-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/sls-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive prototype charging towards production]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/mercedes-benz-b-class-electric-drive-prototype-charging-towards/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/mercedes-benz-b-class-electric-drive-prototype-charging-towards/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/07/mercedes-benz-b-class-electric-drive-prototype-charging-towards/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



Development of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive is moving along smartly since we first saw the thing in shimmering-blue-concept form at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Now running about in prototype form, the B-Class ED is having some valuable cold-weather testing done in Sweden, as this box-fresh set of spy shots reveals.

If the concept car is a good indicator (it probably is) this prototype B-Class is likely making use of a Tesla-sourced lithium-ion battery pack, powering a 100-kilowatt electric motor. Initial estimates say that the B-Class ED should have a range of more than 120 miles, with a top speed in excess of 90 miles per hour.

The all-electric B-Class is expected to offer functionality along the lines of Toyota's large-hatchback Prius V, albeit with the loads of luxury features that befit any vehicle wearing the three-pointed star. The Electric Drive B-Class may be the only version of the vehicle that Mercedes-Benz offers for sale in the US - likely sometime late in 2013, as a 2014 model.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive prototype charging towards production originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 mercedes-benz b-class electric driveb-classelectric driveelectric vehicleevmercedes-benzspy shotsMon, 07 Jan 2013 18:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20419164/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/07/mercedes-benz-b-class-electric-drive-prototype-charging-towards/20419164/article-detail.xml 20419164 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/mercedes-b-class-ev-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/mercedes-b-class-ev-628.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive laps Ascari]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/07/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-electric-drive-laps-ascari/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/07/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-electric-drive-laps-ascari/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/07/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-electric-drive-laps-ascari/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

SLS AMG Electric Drive at Ascari

A philosophical question from your automotive enthusiast future: does a supercar need to make noise in order to be a supercar? The easy answer might be no. If they're more powerful, do everything faster, attract the opposite sex, cost a gang of money and look better in orange than actual oranges, what more are you looking for?

Then watch the blue chrome, $573,000, KERS-equipped, 740-horsepower Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive lap the Ascari track in Spain. It does so largely in silence, although at some points it sounds like a hidden jet flying overhead. That should be worth something when the SLS AMG ED hits the road and causes people to look up as it drives by. But is it still really a supercar?

There's no wrong answer, but feel free to refer to your Kant and Wittgenstein reference materials for assistance while you watch the video below.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive laps Ascari

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive laps Ascari originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Oct 2012 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric drivemercedes-benzsls amgsls amg electric drivevideovideosyoutubeSun, 07 Oct 2012 18:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20342485/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/07/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-electric-drive-laps-ascari/20342485/article-detail.xml 20342485 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/sls-amg-electric_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/10/sls-amg-electric.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes B-Class headed to America... but only as an EV?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/mercedes-b-class-headed-to-america-but-only-as-an-ev/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/mercedes-b-class-headed-to-america-but-only-as-an-ev/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/04/mercedes-b-class-headed-to-america-but-only-as-an-ev/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Mercedes-Benz B-Class is a promising, small family vehicle, but Car and Driver is reporting that the new B-Class is only coming to the U.S. as the zero-emission Electric Drive model. It would appear that if Mercedes does proceed with this plan, it will likely be positioned as a premium alternative to dedicated green family vehicles like Toyota Prius v and Ford C-Max.

While Mercedes won't be the first luxury automaker to venture into the B-segment, it will likely be the first to bring an all-electric vehicle to this market. Using a Tesla-sourced lithium-ion battery pack, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive is expected to be able to travel up to 124 miles at a go, with a top speed of 93 miles per hour.

Mercedes-Benz will be applying the Electric Drive moniker to all of its future electric vehicles, and it definitely had a strong EV presence at the 2012 Paris Motor Show with B-Class Electric Drive and SLS AMG Electric Drive both on display; the the new Smart ForTwo Electric Drive is going on sale next year.

Mercedes B-Class headed to America... but only as an EV? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b-classb-class edb-class electric driveelectric driveelectric vehiclemercedes-benz b-class edmercedes-benz b-class electric driveThu, 04 Oct 2012 17:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20341676/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/04/mercedes-b-class-headed-to-america-but-only-as-an-ev/20341676/article-detail.xml 20341676 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/mercedes-benz-b-class-ed-concept-paris_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/mercedes-benz-b-class-ed-concept-paris.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Concept merges entry-level luxury and plug-in tech]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/mercedes-benz-b-class-electric-drive-concept-paris-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/mercedes-benz-b-class-electric-drive-concept-paris-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/mercedes-benz-b-class-electric-drive-concept-paris-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Concept

Mercedes-Benz showed off a number of alternative fuel B-Class models at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, including the B200 Natural Gas Drive and this machine, the B-Class Electric Drive. Using a 100-kilowatt (134-horsepower) electric motor, the hatch can whir to a top speed of 93 miles per hour and boasts a range of around 124 miles, though presumably not at the same time.

The motor delivers a total of 229 pound-feet of torque, and while Mercedes-Benz isn't disclosing the lithium-ion battery's capacity, the company has said it will be chargeable through any 230-volt outlet. Using a quick-charge 400-volt outlet, the Mercedes-Benz B-Class ED can rack up enough of a charge to cover 31 miles in under an hour. In addition, the five-door can be configured to charge off peak hours to keep operating costs as low as possible. Owners can designate when the B-Class ED charges, keep an eye on state of charge and locate charging locations along a route via any computer or smartphone remotely. Check out the full press blast below.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Concept merges entry-level luxury and plug-in tech

Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive Concept merges entry-level luxury and plug-in tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>b-classelectricelectric drivelithium ionmercedes-benzmercedes-benz b-class edparisparis 2012paris motor showFri, 28 Sep 2012 13:40:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20335094/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/28/mercedes-benz-b-class-electric-drive-concept-paris-2012/20335094/article-detail.xml 20335094 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/mercedes-benz-b-class-ed-concept-paris_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/mercedes-benz-b-class-ed-concept-paris.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive offers guilt-free, zero-emission supercar fun... for $537K]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-electric-drive-paris-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-electric-drive-paris-2012/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/28/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-electric-drive-paris-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive

The folks at Mercedes-Benz must have a guilty conscience when it comes to the SLS AMG supercar. Why else would the German automaker follow up the snarling V8-powered debut of the modern gullwing with the SLS AMG E-Cell, and now the SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive? While the retina-searing E-Cell was a merely prototype, the vehicle you see here is a production version, and can be yours for a cool half a million bucks.

Mercedes-Benz says this electrified gullwing is the most powerful vehicle in the AMG stable. With four electric motors - one at each wheel - producing a combined 740 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque, the SLS Electric Drive can rocket to 62 miles per hour in just 3.9 seconds. For reference, the conventionally powered SLS AMG GT puts out 583 hp, but can do the 0-60 sprint in 3.6 seconds.

The all-electric SLS employs a KERS system that was developed with help from the Mercedes-AMG Formula One team. A specially designed wall box charging unit has been designed that allows a customer's home to possess the same three-hour quick charge capabilities as a public station. Without the wall box, the EV supercar charges in about 20 hours.

If you can afford the €416,500 ($537,930) entry fee, throwing down the extra dough for a wall box should not be an issue. Mercedes-Benz calls the SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive "the most exclusive and dynamic way to drive an electric car." With the blue chrome finish, we would also add "eye-catching," to that description. See for yourself in the accompanying gallery.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive offers guilt-free, zero-emission supercar fun... for $537K

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive offers guilt-free, zero-emission supercar fun... for $537K originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 04:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric drivemercedes-benzparisparis 2012paris motor showsls amgsls amg electric driveFri, 28 Sep 2012 04:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20335087/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/28/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-electric-drive-paris-2012/20335087/article-detail.xml 20335087 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-electric-drive-paris_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/mercedes-benz-sls-amg-electric-drive-paris.jpg <![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz adds B-Class Electric Drive to Paris debuts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/19/mercedes-benz-adds-b-class-electric-drive-to-paris-debuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/19/mercedes-benz-adds-b-class-electric-drive-to-paris-debuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/19/mercedes-benz-adds-b-class-electric-drive-to-paris-debuts/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



We already knew the next-generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class would be getting an all-electric variant, but instead of wearing the E-Cell name, it shall be dubbed Electric Drive. As a matter of fact, all future electric models from Mercedes-Benz, Smart and AMG will carry the Electric Drive name.

A thinly disguised version of the car will be on display next week at the 2012 Paris Motor Show as the Mercedes-Benz Concept B-Class Electric Drive, but what we're looking at here is likely the real deal of what will hit the grid in 2014. According to previous reports, the electric powertrain in the B-Class Electric Drive will be based on a system devolved by Tesla. Mercedes says its Concept B-Class Electric Drive uses a 134-horsepower electric motor that can pump out around 229 pound-feet of torque and deliver a range of 124 miles from its lithium-ion battery.

In addition to the Concept B-Class, Mercedes will also use the Paris stage for the world debut of the SLS AMG Electric Drive and Smart ForTwo Brabus Electric Drive. Scroll down for the official press release.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz adds B-Class Electric Drive to Paris debuts

Mercedes-Benz adds B-Class Electric Drive to Paris debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 mercedes-benz b-class concept electric driveb-classelectricelectric drivemercedes-benzparisparis 2012paris motor showWed, 19 Sep 2012 09:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20325282/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/19/mercedes-benz-adds-b-class-electric-drive-to-paris-debuts/20325282/article-detail.xml 20325282 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/mercedes-b-class-electric_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/mercedes-b-class-electric.jpg <![CDATA[Remy and MotoCzysz announce D1g1tal Dr1ve EV powertrain]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/27/remy-and-motoczysz-announce-d1g1tal-dr1ve-ev-powertrain/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/27/remy-and-motoczysz-announce-d1g1tal-dr1ve-ev-powertrain/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/27/remy-and-motoczysz-announce-d1g1tal-dr1ve-ev-powertrain/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MotoCzysz E1pc - Click above for high-res image gallery

Remy International, a company known mainly for its work with electric motors, has teamed up with MotoCzysz to develop an integrated electric drive system that will feature Remy's High Voltage Hairpin (HVH) electric motor technology paired with MotoCzysz's patent-pending cooling and integration technology.

MotoCzysz head Michael Czysz used a Remy motor to good effect in his E1pc electric motorcycle, which won both the TT Zero at the Isle of Man and the FIM e-Power race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Clearly, MotoCzysz knows how to extract performance from Remy's electric motors.

The unfortunately named D1g1tal Dr1ve will utilize a liquid-cooled Remy internal permanent magnet (IPM) motor that puts out 250 pound-feet of torque along with 100 kW (135 horsepower) at a remarkable efficiency of 93 percent (measured at the rotor). Upgrades to future models of the D1g1tal Dr1ve will include units with more power and smaller size.

Perhaps what's most interesting about this partnership is that the powertrain technology is designed so that it can be used in all kinds of vehicles, from motorcycles to automobiles. The companies say it will be ready by the second quarter of 2011. Check out all the details in the press release after the break.


Gallery: MotosCzysz E1pc at the Isle of Man TT Zero


[Source: Remy International, Inc.]

Continue reading Remy and MotoCzysz announce D1g1tal Dr1ve EV powertrain

Remy and MotoCzysz announce D1g1tal Dr1ve EV powertrain originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric driveelectric drive developmentelectric drive systemelectric drivetrainElectricDriveElectricDriveDevelopmentElectricDriveSystemElectricDrivetrainintegrated electric driveIntegratedElectricDrivemotoczyszmotoczysz e1pcMotoczyszE1pcremyremy electric motorremy internationalremy motorsRemyElectricMotorRemyInternationalRemyMotorsFri, 27 Aug 2010 09:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19610189/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/08/27/remy-and-motoczysz-announce-d1g1tal-dr1ve-ev-powertrain/19610189/article-detail.xml 19610189 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/motoczysz-e1pc-ttzero-2-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/motoczysz-e1pc-ttzero-2-630.jpg <![CDATA[Daimler buys 10% stake in Tesla, will supply parts and engineering]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/daimler-buys-10-stake-in-tesla-will-supply-parts-and-engineeri/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/daimler-buys-10-stake-in-tesla-will-supply-parts-and-engineeri/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/daimler-buys-10-stake-in-tesla-will-supply-parts-and-engineeri/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Mercedes-Benz/Tesla press conference - Click above for ABG's liveblog coverage

During a press conference held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart this morning, Dr. Thomas Weber, the head of research and development for Mercedes-Benz, announced that Daimler is buying a 10% stake in Tesla Motors. Tesla CEO Elon Musk was also on hand for the announcement. The companies did not specify the amount paid by Daimler, other than it was in the double digit millions. Daimler will be providing Tesla with engineering support and possibly parts that may go into the Model S. Tesla, meanwhile, will continue providing battery packs for the second-generation Smart ED starting later this year. Tesla will also focus on battery pack integration and battery management systems for Daimler going forward.

The deal will also give Tesla access to the automotive lithium ion cells being produced by Daimler's investment in Li-Tec, a joint venture between Evonik and Daimler. Weber announced that Daimler would commence series production of electric Smarts in 2012, with volume projections in the five digits.

Daimler's Prof. Herbert Kohler (who is in charge of e-drive systems at the German automaker) will take up a board seat at Tesla and oversee development at the California company. We live blogged the conference at AutoblogGreen this morning and the official press release is after the jump.

[Source: Daimler]

Continue reading Daimler buys 10% stake in Tesla, will supply parts and engineering

Daimler buys 10% stake in Tesla, will supply parts and engineering originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 May 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbreaking newsbreakingnewsdaimler tesladaimler tesla dealDaimlerTeslaDaimlerTeslaDealelectric driveElectricDriveelon muskElonMuskteslaTue, 19 May 2009 09:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1550213/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/05/19/daimler-buys-10-stake-in-tesla-will-supply-parts-and-engineeri/1550213/article-detail.xml 1550213 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/daimler-tesla-press-conf_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/05/daimler-tesla-press-conf.png -1 2