The German aftermarket specialists at Brabus have entered the eco battle with the unveiling of a prototype EV based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Rather than extracting more power out of the E-Class’ gasoline engine, Brabus decided to rip out the gasser and replace it with electric-only hardware.
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The prototype gets a suitably subtle and sexy name – the High Performance 4WD Full Electric – with “Performance” referring to the E’s impressive 429 horsepower and 2,360 pound-feet of torque and “4WD” implying each wheel is fitted with a Protean electric motor. Lastly, Brabus’ prototype packs a monstrous 56-kWh lithium-ion battery pack to provide the juice.
The HP4FE is capable of scooting from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 6.9 seconds and can keep on blasting on down the road for up to 217 miles (at a constant speed of 62 mph) before that massive battery pack becomes fully depleted. Brabus says the prototype tops out at 137 mph in Sport mode, or 118 mph in Eco mode.
But being a Brabus, exterior enhancements are a must and besides its slightly modified body, the prototype E-Class sits on 19-inch wheels wrapped in performance rubber. As for price, Brabus says the prototype isn’t for sale… yet.
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