Rendered Speculation: Mercedes-Benz SLM, possibly plug-in hybrid
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupe</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/" rel="tag">Hybrid</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/mercedes-benz/" rel="tag">Mercedes-Benz</a></p><a href="http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1008_mercedes_benz_slm_ne ws/index.html"><img hspace="4" border="0" vspace="4" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/mercedes-benz-slm-front-three-quarters-view.jpg" alt="" /></a><!-- bdaf851a8c2d41ccb3120e245 2d75288 -->Apparently the product planners at <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/mercedes-benz/">Mercedes-Benz</a> and AMG have decided that both cheaper and more expensive derivatives of the gull-wing <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/sls+amg">SLS</a> coupe would be too problematic and have instead opted for something completely different. AMG is now reportedly developing a mid-engined SLM to take on the likes of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/r8">Audi R8</a> and a possible <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/bmw">BMW</a> supercar. <br />
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While reusing components from the SLS would have been preferable from a purely financial perspective, it could cannibalize the SL, while something even more upmarket from the SLS might prove too hard to sell in the current economic environment. <br />
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The SLM is expected to focus on light weight and a smaller boosted engine, possibly paired with electric motors. The front wheels could be driven by the same motors used in the battery-powered SLS E-Cell while the engine would drive the rears. If this hybrid configuration is utilized, the SLM would also theoretically be a direct competitor to a production version of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/02/geneva-2010-the-porsche-918-spyder-concept-is-sexy-hybrid-madne/">Porsche 918 Spyder</a>. <br />
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[Source: <a href="http://www.automobilemag.com/features/news/1008_mercedes_benz_slm_ne ws/index.html">Automobile</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/02/rendered-speculation-mercedes-benz-slm-possibly-plug-in-hybrid/">Rendered Speculation: Mercedes-Benz SLM, possibly plug-in hybrid</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/02/rendered-speculation-mercedes-benz-slm-possibly-plug-in-hybrid/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19535750/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/02/rendered-speculation-mercedes-benz-slm-possibly-plug-in-hybrid/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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