Automobile News

Electrically powered super sports cars are currently the favourite goal for many small car manufacturers. The American company Shelby Super Cars (SSC) wants to gain some attention through their announcement of a new model with up to 1000 HP. The Ultimate Aero EV should come onto the market in the beginning of 2009 and at first only possess an electric engine with 368 kW/ 500 HP; but later it should add an additional engine to double its performance. The battery technology is said to be truly revolutionary: according to the company, the power accumulator only needs to be charged after a few years of use.

The technical feasibility of such a car remains in doubt, but SSC is clearly appealing to a new trend. After the Californian company Tesla began building their own super fast electric sports car despite multiple delays, other companies are following suit with similar models. LCC already introduced an electric model at the London Motor Show with 700 horse power, and Fisker wants to build a luxurious Gran Turismo with a hybrid engine.

After the super sports car Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren was phased out of production, an extreme high performance version of the SL roadster has stepped up to fill its shoes. The Mercedes SL 65 AMG Black Series comes with a supercharged 12 cylinder petrol engine, complete with a 493 kW/ 670 HP performance and torque of 1,000 Nm. The car also uses the 6.0 litre driving gear from the SL 65 AMG, but with enhancements, including a different bi-turbocharger and a modified exhaust system.

The new model is 280 kilograms lighter than the standard version, because of the decision to manufacture numerous car body panels from lightweight carbon fibre. The sports car can go from zero to 62 mph in just 3.9 seconds, while the top speed has been electronically restricted at 198 mph. An automatic 5 gear system provides the transmission on the rear axle. The suspension has been reworked, and limited slip deferential on the rear axle should help provide for extra traction.

The open two-seater is immediately distinguishable by its expanded wings, wheel-away back spoiler, and a rear apron with fins. The completely black interior is marked by a sports car bucket seat, black speedometer, and a white RPM meter. The first editions will be released in November and, although the prices remain unknown, we can expect something in the £215,000 range.