I'll bet the air conditioning for the batteries consumes a lot of electricity too. I'm guessing the range is short on this vehicle and it is intended as just a toy for weekend fun, and not for actual transportation to and from work (for the average person).
IT'S NO LONGER A CONCEPT! THIS ELECTRIC SUPER CAR IS GOING INTO PRODUCTION FOR SALE IN 2011 !!!! ($400K) The October 2010 Automobile magazine (just arrived on my doorstep yesterday) has FOUR full pages dedicated to this electric Mercedes SLS Gullwing monster! The magazine also has ALL ~40 new vehicles coming to market in 2011 (includes end of year 2010 releases; Leaf, Volt, etc). First the Porsche 918 Spyder laps a race track faster than the Carrera GT. Now Mercedes is joining the electric super car game! (Tesla Roadster is not a "super" car, but hey, it's in the contention too) MOVE OVER GAS-GUZZLING BIG BLOCK V8s! You're getting your gas kicked by plug-in hybrids and electrics! (By the way, watch LIVE this Saturday (9/11/10) as the Porsche GT3 Hybrid becomes the first hybrid to race in Le Mans! (and it very much has a chance at even winning))
It's rumored that the 918 Spyder laps the Nurburgring in 7:20. The Carrera GT has a recorded time of 7:28 (SUPERCARS.NET - Comprehensive Specifications, Galleries & Forums since 1996), so I'd say 8 seconds.
A bud of mine has driven it and said it is absolutely amazing. The instant torque from the batteries and system means it handles like it on rails. Great job Benz!
Between this and the Fisker, it's getting difficult to decide which one to buy after I hit the MegaBall lottery. Oh heck, I'll get one of each.
Is it any question, get the 918, sure its more expensive than the Mercedes, but its faster and the extended range 3.4L V8 should cure any range anxiety. I mean, you want to make a practical decision right. Those gullwing doors look great, but they are going to break, so the porsche might be lower in maintenance too. Its good to see mercedes joining tesla in the BEV market.
FYI: did you know that the SLS was initally going to be the next-generation Dodge Viper? Apparently Mercedes took the project from Chrysler while they were still DaimlerBenz. Report: Dodge originally developed SLS AMG to be next-gen Viper — Autoblog
Any guesses what the tab will be when a careless owner backs one into an overhead garage door... and blames it on his wife/GF?
