Mercedes-Benz is ramping up the testing of the new SLS AMG E-Cell with some preliminary testing on the roads of Germany. The production version of the electric concept may look like the "standard" SLS AMG coupe, however this new model is anything but ordinary. The SLS AMG E-Cell essentially is to Mercedes-Benz what the i8 is to BMW and the R8 e-tron is to Audi, with an electronic drivetrain that has been in development since 2010.

The model captured here has two characteristics that separate it from its conventionally-powered counterpart, namely the lack of any exhaust pipes and the lack of sound reported by our intrepid spy photographers. The E-Cell is powered by four electric motors working together to produce about 526 horsepower and 649 pound-feet of torque. That's said to be enough for a 4-second 0-60 run that's only a third of a second slower than its 6.2-liter V8-powered counterpart. While the concept unveiled back at the 2011 Detroit Motor Show only traveled 90 miles on a full charge, the production model is tipped to go as far as 120 miles.