OK, this one has been filed under totally cool.  Mercedes has started releasing information on their new SLS Gullwing (although not undisguised pictures apparently!) due to hit American streets next year. The vehicle is impressively engineered - the gasoline V8 version boasts 751HP, 479 lb-ft of torque, accelerates to 60 in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 168mph. With all aluminum construction and an all-alloy spaceframe, it clearly won't be cheap.

The electric version is reported to have a 48 kWh liquid cooled lithium ion battery pack running down the central tunnel. The combined output of the electric drive system is 392 kW (526 hp) and 880 Nm (649 lb-ft). This is right in line with the output of the V8. Acceleration is reported to be 0-62 in 4 seconds.

In addition to a solid power plant, the SLS EV has many other apparent innovations. From their press release:

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG with electric drive transforms the vision of powerful and locally emission-free super sports cars into reality thanks to an innovative drive system: powerful forwards thrust is provided by four electric motors [...] positioned near the wheels, substantially reducing the unsprung masses compared to wheel-hub motors. One transmission per axle transmits the power. This intelligent all-wheel-drive system allows dynamically optimized power transmission without any losses by means of Torque Vectoring - in other words the specifically targeted acceleration of individual wheels. In its first pilot phase, the SLS AMG with electric drive incorporates a liquid-cooled high-voltage lithium-ion battery of modular design with an energy content of 48 kWh and a capacity of 40 Ah. The 400-volt battery is charged by means of targeted recuperation during braking whilst the car is being driven. [emphasis mine]

The purely electric drive system was factored into the equation as early as the concept phase when the new swing-wing model was being developed by Mercedes-Benz and AMG. It is ideally packaged for the integration of the high-performance, zero-emission technology: by way of example, the four electric motors and the two transmissions can be positioned near the wheels and very low down in the vehicle. The same applies to the modular high-current battery, whose modules are located in front of the firewall, in the centre tunnel and behind the seats. Advantages of this solution include the vehicle's low centre of gravity and the balanced weight distribution - ideal conditions for optimum handling, which the electrically powered SLS AMG shares with its petrol-driven sister model.

Of course, like the Tesla - this isn't an everyman's car.  But it certainly takes another step in the direction of solidifying the idea electronic cars can also be cool. As these technologies prove themselves at the high-end, it becomes increasingly difficult to justify failing to offer them in the various classes of production vehicle.

I think it's pretty darn cool ... but it does make me wonder, is this the e-version of a gas guzzler?