- Mercedes-Benz AMG is working on an electric supercar
- New supercar claimed to use multiple axial-flow engines, each rated at around 500 hp
- Supercar would be spiritual successor to the SLS AMG Electric Drive
Mercedes-Benz AMG is working on an electric supercar for launch later this decade. Automobile reported on Tuesday, without citing a source.
According to the publication, the electric supercar will be inspired by last year’s Vision One-Eleven Conceptbuilt in honor of C111 technology demonstrator series released in the late 1960s and throughout the following decade.
The concept also served as a showcase for axial flow motors developed by YASAhigh-performance electric motor specialist acquired by Mercedes in 2021. Axial-flow motors are lighter and smaller than conventional radial-flow motors of similar power, although they are more difficult to manufacture, making them much less economical.
Mercedes plans to build axial-flow engines at a factory in Berlin, with the first application likely to be a elegant four-door liftback based on New AMG.EA EV platform from AMGand scheduled for launch in the next 12 months. Prototypes of the liftback, which will be AMG’s first dedicated EV, have been tested on several occasions.
Prototype of the first EV fully developed by Mercedes-Benz AMG
One of YASA’s axial-flow engines generates 489 hp but weighs just under 53 pounds. Mercedes is considering multiple configurations, including three- and four-engine configurations.
The supercar is also expected to use the AMG.EA platform and, according to Autocar, will not only surpass the upcoming increase in performance, but also AMG’s One hypercarcurrently holder of Production car lap record at Nürburgringwith a time of 6:35.183 set in 2022.
Although Mercedes recently announced a breakthrough in the development of light vehicles, energy dense solid state batteriesAutocar reported that the supercar will use liquid-type lithium-ion batteries, albeit with a new cylindrical cell design complete with silicon anodes.
AMG has a lot of experience with electric power. He first tested the waters in 2014 with the SLS AMG electric drive. It was the fastest and most powerful EV on the market at the time, thanks to its 740 hp. Since then, AMG has accumulated more experience in its F1 program, particularly in the areas of energy discharge and recovery.