Mercedes eDrive is coming

Mercedes eDrive SLS AMG is an electric, zero-emission sports car. Photo / Supplied

Mercedes is developing an electric-powered, zero-emission, super sports car.

The eDrive SLS AMG will use four electric motors with a combined output of 392kW and 890Nm.

A powerplant positioned near each wheel reduces unsprung mass over wheel-hub motors, and avoids steering corruption.

One transmission per wheel will transmit power to the ground, with the amount regulated according to grip - effectively, the motors deliver a sophisticated four-wheel-drive system that will take the car from zero to 100km/h in around four seconds.

That's the time claimed for the same car with the 6.3-litre 420kW V8, in a vehicle with a lower centre of gravity and better weight distribution - in part thanks to the battery distribution. They sit just ahead of the front bulkhead, in the centre tunnel and behind the seats.

Mercedes says no changes will have to be made to the swing-wing car's aluminum space frame body to build the eDrive car, which will launch after the standard SLS that will first appear at September's Frankfurt Motor Show.

Meanwhile, the company's second generation electric Smart fortwo is part way through its four-year, real world test programme in cities round Europe, with price per kilometre proving the equivalent of around two litres of diesel.

That car will go into limited production late this year.