With a Ferrari F12berlinetta- and Lamborghini Aventador-beating 740HP (750PS) and 1,000 Nm (737.5 lb-ft) from four electric motors positioned close to the wheels, the SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive that made its debut at the Paris Auto Show is the most powerful production car Mercedes-Benz has ever launched.

Despite being priced more than twice as much as the V8 petrol SLS AMG, millionaires interested in boasting their “green” credentials probably won’t be deterred by the more than half a million dollars sticker price.

Performance is more than adequate: four electric motors placed near each wheel allow the all-electric SLS AMG Coupe to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 3.9 seconds.

They must be willing to trade the mechanical sounds of a petrol engine with…silence, though, and they might baulk at the electronically limited 250 km/h (155 mph) top speed – but only if they frequently travel on the derestricted Deutsche autobahnen or take it to a track.

Mercedes-Benz has done exactly that, bringing the SLS AMG Electric Drive to the Ascari track in Spain and releasing a short video, which you can view after the break.

By Andrew Tsaousis

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