Skip advert
Advertisement

Mercedes SLS AMG E-cell

Electric supercar takes battery power to next level. We drive it

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Mercedes SLS AMG
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Despite being battery powered, the zero-emission SLS E-CELL feels every inch a ‘proper’ supercar because its performance is quite simply electrifying. However, it’s not quite the finished article yet. Merc needs to reduce the weight by 300kg and factor in more steering feel to ensure V8-level handling. It must reduce the price, too; it may have shown supercars can go green, but it also still looks like they will cost the earth.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It's the future of Mercedes – and it’s certainly bright! This electric version of the SLS AMG supercar is designed to help reduce the company’s overall CO2 emissions and deliver the thrills of the V8 model. But does it?

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_narrow","fid":"69305","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image"}}]]

Power for the E-CELL comes from four electric motors each driving an individual wheel. Combined they produce 528bhp, seven per cent less than the normal SLS. This doesn’t matter, though; torque is up by more than a third at a colossal 880Nm, all of which is available from idle.

The acceleration is breathtaking. At low speeds the pick-up is so violent, occupants would probably benefit from F1-style neckbraces, while the lack of gears means there’s no let-up in thrust. Bizarrely, however, the E-CELL still retains the steering wheel-mounted paddles. Yet rather than changing ratios, they allow the driver to alter the level of brake regeneration and effectively mimic the feeling of slowing down through the gears.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Discovery

2023 Land Rover

Discovery

40,482 milesAutomaticPetrol3.0L

Cash £45,998
View Discovery
Range Rover Evoque

2020 Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque

10,443 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £28,742
View Range Rover Evoque
GLE Coupe

2023 Mercedes

GLE Coupe

23,300 milesAutomaticDiesel2.9L

Cash £54,774
View GLE Coupe
GLC Coupe

2023 Mercedes

GLC Coupe

58,097 milesAutomaticDiesel2.0L

Cash £33,661
View GLC Coupe

The E-CELL has a 125-mile range after a three-hour charge. The lithium-ion battery is actually made up of 324 individual cells which are located behind the seats, in front of the firewall and in the transmission tunnel to help maintain a virtually identical weight distribution to the standard SLS. However, tipping the scales at just over two tons, the zero-emissions version is a huge 400kg heavier.

You can sense this weight gain when cornering or making sudden direction changes. And, as well as a slight loss of agility, the E-CELL’s new electro-hydraulic steering isn’t as sharp as the fully hydraulic set-up of the standard car, either.

To be fair, our model was a prototype – Mercedes claims the production version, expected in 2013, will be lighter and have improved steering. It will also benefit from torque vectoring, allowing the power to be varied between each individual wheel for better handling.

Visually, though, the roadgoing model should be identical to the prototype. A unique grille, adjustable front splitter and a new diffuser with a distinct lack of exhaust pipes distinguish it from the V8. Inside, bespoke digital displays on the binnacle and centre console are in keeping with the cutting-edge powertrain.

The price? Although nothing has yet been confirmed, expect the E-CELL to cost at least twice as much as the V8.

Rival: Audi e-tron
Essentially a slightly smaller electric-powered R8, the e-tron pretty much matches the SLS on performance. At launch in 2012, it will cost around £120,000 and be available in very limited numbers.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,271 off RRP*Used from £12,700
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,800
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,115 off RRP*Used from £14,295
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,895
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power
Peugeot E-208 GTi - reveal front

New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power

Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds
News
13 Jun 2025
New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer
Volvo EM90 - front

New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer

Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it’s for China only
Road tests
16 Jun 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can’t be anything but popular
Kia Sportage - side panning

Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can’t be anything but popular

The Kia Sportage has earned its popularity over the years and deals like our Car Deal of the Day for June 14 won’t do it any harm at all.
News
14 Jun 2025