Can someone please find info to give me a crash course in using EQ software in general, these in particular, to reencode audio for a car audio system + subwoofer?

For example, the Ozone plugin has various equalizer presets for frequencies, but it also has an array of settings to set the “room” size. How do I tailor this to the interior of my ‘96 Chevy Monte Carlo?!
Evil Rondy do you have any suggestions on how best to do this?

I have a laptop and I the plugins for WinAmp I describe have spectrum analysis along with equalizer capability. Do I need to play back a CD, and record that session, then play it through WinAmp on the laptop to see how the sound is affected in different areas of the car?

Total newbie to this type of in-depth analysis so any additional details would be appreciated.

I am using a brand new HP Windows Vista laptop.

• Input: 120V Ac 50/60Hz
• Screw Terminals
• Ul Listed
• Output: 12V Dc Regulated, 500 Ma

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Class II Plug-In Transformer (12V DC; 500MA)… More >>

GVI GV-TRAN-12-500DC Class II Plug-In Transformer

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I’d like to get an actual signal chain example to get sound as brilliant as possible. I’d like to know which compression, equalization, filtering, etc. I’d use in order to get nice, powerful, solid, noise-less, recordings.

Thanks!

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so does anyone know of any free audio editing software that has the simplicity and ease of use for multi track stuff and supports GUI for VST plugins

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This guide to the many functions of Cakewalk SONAR, the leading software for recording melodies, arranging, recording vocals and instruments, MIDI and sound effects processing, and mixing and mastering, provides musicians with a full description of version 2.0, the newest release of the software. Included are recommendations for connecting the sound card to the MIDI keyboard and the microphone and an examination of the ways musical information is represented in SONA… More >>

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• External hardware host for Windows plugins (VST instruments and effects)
• Banks, presets (incl. chaining, layering, splitting) can be edited with the V-Machine or the host software
• Create synth layers and chain them with effects
• Connect nearly every MIDI-Controller to the V-Machine
• USB-Ports for external peripherals

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The V-Machine is a compact VST/VSTi hardware playback module built for performance keyboard players and DJ’s. It is one little beast that can’t be underestimated once loaded up with your favorite VST instrument and effect plug-ins. Take your plug-ins on the road or into the studio and access them live without a computer. Multiple plug-ins can be pre-loaded into bank/preset memories for immediate access. Combine VST and VSTi plug-ins into chains, splits, and layers t… More >>

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This guide to the many functions of Cakewalk SONAR, the leading software for recording melodies, arranging, recording vocals and instruments, MIDI and sound effects processing, and mixing and mastering, provides musicians with a full description of version 2.0, the newest release of the software. Included are recommendations for connecting the sound card to the MIDI keyboard and the microphone and an examination of the ways musical information is represented in SONA… More >>

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I’d like to know some good places on internet for downloading the best vst plug-ins for free.
Also, can you pleaset ell me thenames of some good vst plug-ins.

“We’re sorry, Yahoo! Avatars requires the latest version of Macromedia Flash Player.

Free download: – Macromedia Flash Player ” page.

I’ve reinstalled the plugin several times, yet it is still not working.  Any ideas what is wrong?

but lately, I just noticing that Firefox is slowed down a lot (by the means of system process, not loading the page process) when opening many tabs which each containing friendster page. As we know, almost every page on friendster is containing an advertisement, in macromedia Flash.

I’m not talking about the ad. I’m talking about the flash. by the time when I opened just as much as 10 tabs, the Firefox is slowed down to the level that it needs 10-20 secs to switch between tabs. after I investigate, I suspect that the flash shockwave is the main cause of this. how can I turn off the flash plugin so Firefox doesn’t have to load AND PLAY the flash everytime I open a new page?

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What is the best and most popular software packages out there for plugins / actions for streamlining your photography editing on portraits, landscapes, etc etc.

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If you are an audio professional needing a complete reference to the complex world of plug-ins and virtual instruments, look no further. Mike Collins, author of Pro Tools for Music Production, has meticulously surveyed the scene, showing what’s available and how they integrate into the various host platforms. The book explains the differences between TDM, RTS, MAS and VST plug-ins, how they can be used with different MIDI + Audio programs and shows the range of opt… More >>

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Thanks,

James

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Multimedia is one of the most exciting aspects of the Internet and a real growth area. From downloading film clips to playing Age of Empires with somebody in Australia, listening to David Bowie’s new album, jamming with jazz freaks in New Orleans or using a Webcam for a video conference, the Internet can now be used for a fantastic range of truly exciting and innovative things. To make use of this all-singing, all-dancing phenomenon and its ground-breaking technolog… More >>

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The upcoming Chevy Volt is going to have the ability to communicate with you via an Iphone App.  The application will sync with the Volt’s OnStar system, allowing its owner to monitor everything from the charging schedule to pre-set temperature settings inside the car (!).  A list of the functionalities can be seen below:

• * Display the car’s charging status and schedule charging. There is also an immediate ”charge now” override option
• * Display of the car’ state of charge, as well as electric and total ranges
• * Allow the driver to program grid-friendly charging times, so as to charge only when rates are low
• * Give the driver text or email notifications if the car wasn’t plugged in
• * Let the driver remotely precondition the vehicle’s cabin temperature using grid electricity when plugged in, operates both heating and air conditioning
• * Notify the driver if charging is for some reason interrupted, and when its fully charged
• * Display the car’s historic fuel economy performance data in mpg, electric only miles, and odometer reading

Sourced from here.

Other features such as remotely locking and unlocking your vehicle, and sending a request for it to blare its horn loudly to ease location in a crowded parking lot might become available soon, too.    Can anyone think of other possibilities that exist?

In addition to the Iphone, apps will be available for the BlackBerry and the Droid, Google’s open-sourced operating system.

The 2011 Volt is scheduled for release in mid-November.

REVA, an automobile company based in Bangalore, India,  is preparing to launch its own plug-in models, except with a twist.  Shown off at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, and scheduled for production early this year, the NXR, a 3-door, four-seater hatchback, will have a range of about 100 miles and a top speed of 65 mph.  The NXG (shown above) will sport a top speed of 80 mph and a range of 125 miles.     Both of these car models will feature REVive, a reserve-charging technology.

According to key experts in the company, REVA will be adding a unique technology to its plug-in cars, which will be designed to combat ‘range anxiety’.  This phenomenon arises when motorists worry that their car will run out of charge mid-way through their journey — or perhaps on their way to a charging station.  The ‘REVive telematics’ feature will operate like an “invisible reserve fuel tank”,  enabling  drivers to get their reserve battery power remotely activated during an electricity crisis on the road.  In such a situation, drivers would need  to call or text-message REVA for an immediate top-up, however, remotely.

This idea might sound gimmicky at first, however it is meant to address a key issue with plug-in vehicles:  the lack of charging infrastructure.  Knowing that there is “spare fuel” in your vehicle might be an incentive to purchase a plug-in.  However, the actual usefulness of this technology will depend on motorists behavior.  The instant they start thinking of this extra charge as part of their normal battery life, its function will be worthless.  Granted, having to text message your auto manufacturer in order to continue to operate your vehicle, and the embarassment it might cause when others are inside, might be enough of a hassle so the technology is not misused.

Prices for the REVA NXR start at €9,995 for the lead-acid battery version and €14,995 for the lithium-ion version.

About Reva:

REVA Electric Car Company is a Bangalore-based car manufacturer. It is a venture of AEV LLC of California and Maini Group of India, which is supported by tUS investors such as Draper Fisher Jurvetson and the Global Environment Fund.

Launching its 1st electric car in 2001, the company is capable of manufacturing around 30,000 cars in a year at its factory in Bangalore.  They are developing a new plant in Bangalore for an  ‘ultra-low carbon’ motor vehicle. This plant will have the capacity to produce an extra 30,000 units per year.

REVA operates in a country with a population that is becoming more affluent and highly invests in clean-energy vehicles.

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Whether you are recording voice, instruments, or field audio for a movie soundtrack, you need to understand the digital recording process and the seemingly limitless potential of all the available software and hardware tools. With this guide, you’ll learn what you need to know about modern digital recording — whether you’re operating in your home studio or in a professional recording facility. See how to use the features included in many audio recording software pa… More >>

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W: Couldn’t stat source package list http://www.getautomatix.com edgy/main Packages (/var/lib/apt/lists/www.getautomatix.com_apt_dists_edgy_main_binary-i386_Packages) – stat (2 No such file or directory)

Thanks in advance!

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Master the Android mobile development platformBuild compelling Java-based mobile applications using the Android SDK and the Eclipse open-source software development platform. Android: A Programmer’s Guide shows you, step-by-step, how to download and set up all of the necessary tools, build and tune dynamic Android programs, and debug your results. Discover how to provide web and chat functions, interact with the phone dialer and GPS devices, and acc… More >>

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Want to know the most important plug-ins you should have for Netscape, Internet Explorer, AOL, CIS, or another Internet Service Provider? Want to know how other people are using plug-ins? Well you’ve come to the right place. In this book, you’ll find answers to all the FAQs (most frequently asked questions) about plug-ins for your browser whether you just want to know the best graphics plug-ins, or you need to incorporate plug-ins onto your corporate Intranet… More >>

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etc?
Hi CW,

Thanks! Can you elaborate on the 7/8 split? I’m trying to find what the market is for 8/9 versus lower as the feautures I have are 8-dependant.

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This comprehensive guide shows you how to integrate a variety of production tools for the Mac OS X platform into all stages of audio production so that you can create and produce music. From single applications to complete suites, you’ll discover the software toolsets that are best for you and then discover how to incorporate them into a coherent workflow. Featuring best practices, real-world examples, and interviews with audio professionals, this book pulls toget… More >>

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Photoshop users who haven’t been working with plug-ins haven’t been taking full advantage of the program’s creative and technical potential, from advanced digital art and photo effects to support for varied file types. But finding the right ones online could be time-consuming…until now. For this handy reference, Jim Zuckerman has done the legwork, describing and test driving many plug-ins for a variety of functions, as well as recommending the very best opti… More >>

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Late in 2011, Toyota Motor Corp will launch a hybrid sub-compact and broaden its electric car line-up. The vehicle will be available for 1.5 million yen, or $15,760. Government tax breaks, subsidies on cleaner technology, and an increasing demand for gasoline-electric vehicles have promoted EVs in Japan greatly.  Toyota may have future plans to produce the new hybrid model in France as well, to cater to a European market.

According to a Japanese newspaper, Asahi Shimbun, the new hybrid compact by Toyota will use the platform and engine of the Yaris sub-compact, which is likely to be fully remodeled before launch in order to compete with the fuel efficiency and cost competitiveness of the Prius.

Dominant automakers Honda Motor Company and Toyota have reduced prices on their premier hybrid cars recently. The price of Toyota’s Prius has been lowered to 2.05 million yen and that of Honda’s Insight has been lowered to 1.89 million yen.

The month of April listed Honda’s Insight, the first hybrid car, on top of the best selling cars list. However, in May, Toyota’s new Prius replaced the Insight, and became the No.1 hybrid car in the Japanese market.

The Toyota sub-compact hybrid, which is yet to be launched, would be a tough contender to some of the upcoming small hybrid cars like Honda’s Fit Compact and the Honda CR-Z Hybrid.  It has been reported by The Daily that the automaker is likely to raise its daily production target in Japan. This will increase production to about 13,500 units in September and around 13,700 in October.

Why the sub?

Toyota and Honda have introduced sub-compact hybrid models to introduce a fresh alternative to existing hybrid cars (which were mostly SUVs) in the last couple of years. These SUV hybrids are more fuel-efficient (15 to 20 percent more than their counterparts). However, the mpg of these models ranges from the late teens to the early twenties.

The new subcompact hybrids are likely to be marked high in the fuel economy rankings, possibly at the 50 mpg mark or higher. Moreover, their prices are slated to be comparatively lower than the prices of current hybrid cars.

If the past is any predictor, car enthusiasts and organizations such as CalCars will begin upgrading these new hybrids into plug-in models as soon as they are released.  It remains to be seen, however, if and when they are brought to the American market, whether they will be adopted on a mass scale by an increasingly price-conscious and choosy consumer.

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The Renew America Roadtrip, hosted by the Element Hotel Summerlin, has dual functions: It aims to promote electric cars and public awareness in renewable green technologies.  And, in addition, the event has the intention to raise funds for various charities, such as the Autism Society of America.

Touted as America’s first ever electric coast-to-coast trip, the journey initiated from New York City on Wednesday July 15^th and is scheduled to end in San Francisco on the 31^st. With the aim of attracting local press and the YouTube generation of bloggers, the organizers state on their website that it is “NOT about making another geeky cross-country technology trial, but is rather about a real-life road trip, with real people and a real production vehicle – the Tesla Motor’s Roadster.”

The Roadster arrived as part of the procession early on, showing off its $109,000 pristine white body. More than 40 people welcomed the car along with yet another blue roadster that traveled with it through Pennsylvania. You can see the itinerary of the Renew America Roadtrip below. As part of the exhibition, the organizers are also offering rides to the public for a donation.

Michael Craner, owner of Tesla Motors Roadster and co-founder of Renew America Roadtrip said, “We hope that by driving a production electric vehicle, the Tesla Motor’s Roadster, across the country, we can demonstrate by example that green technologies are here today and do not represent a compromise. At the end of our trip, we plan to auction our Tesla Roadster and distribute the money earned to the different charities that have joined with us during our journey, including the American Lung Association, Parkinson’s Association, and local homeless shelters.”

If you’re interested in seeing close-up shots of the Roadster during the roadtrip, wizzardkitten snapped a few photos.

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The exclusive leasing program of BMW’s all-electric vehicles (Mini Es) has created quite a buzz. After all, only 450 models exist. Now, through a draw in a lottery, 4 lucky Californian municipalities, including Glendora, Diamond Bar, West Covina and Azusa, hit the jackpot as they were selected to participate in BMW’s first ever EV pilot program.

Each township will receive two of the two-seater Mini Cooper look-alikes. Moreover, while other lessees shell out $850/month, the winners will only be paying $10/month per car. Why $10, you might be wondering? Well, it’s not supposed to make sense. Afterwards, they would be expected to provide feedback on the cars, which presumably would perfect the engineering process by the time BMW starts mass-producing the Mini E.

The Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments helped organize the lottery. Michael Cacciotti, the representative of the AQMD Governing Body revealed the fact to the media that around 15 cities had shown interest in acquiring the car; however, only four cities were chosen. Mr. Cacciotti is a representative of the Los Angeles County Eastern Region as well.

Mr. Michael Cacciotti acquired 2 Mini E cars for South Pasadena city a couple of months back, when he met with BMW officials. He was promised six more electric cars during that time. Later, when the production increased, other cities were selected to lease out the cars.

According to engineers at BMW, the Mini E would have a single charge electric range of 150 miles. Its top speed would be 95 miles per hour, with a 0-60 acceleration of about 8.5 seconds. The car’s backseat and part of its trunk would be occupied by a 573-pound lithium-ion battery, which would be used to power a 150kW electric motor. All lessees in the pilot program would be given a free high-voltage wall box, which would reduce the charge time of the battery to 3 hours.

Chris Jeffers, the Glendora City Manager responded positively to the electric car. He said that it would be a ‘win-win situation’ for masses, as the car would enable the city to save about $500 to $800 on gasoline on a yearly basis. He commented, “For us, it shows our green side as we’re trying to be as green as possible. It also allows us to delay purchases for some new vehicles.”

Yup, it was a hard decision to make, but in the end he chose to accept the free BMWs.

Update: BMW has announced plans to produce an electric car specifically geared to meet California’s Zero-Emission-Vehicle statute (ZEVs) by 2012.  The car will be called the BMW City or “Project i”.  There is no way to tell at the moment if they will scrap the Mini E program, or if this model is its natural successor.

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Former race car driver Morris Clement is all set to develop his own electric car. He will be building a low-speed, battery-operated vehicle: a less-exciting, greener approach than the toys he used to play with.  In 1998, the National Traffic Safety Administration classified the cars as neighborhood electric vehicles, or NEVs, and they are certified “eco-friendly”.

As for specifications, Clement said that the car would offer speeds up to 25 miles per hour, therefore making these 4-wheel NEVs not suitable for highways. He stated that the vehicle could drive for 40 miles without recharging and that the battery should be replaced after 5 or 6 years. Interestingly, he asserted that the electric car can be used to drive up a mountain and on snow-clad roads.

Morris Clement was a National Championship race car driver with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). In fact, in May 2008, he built the Cobra 427 SC, which was the first ever COBRA that could travel well over 200 miles per hour. For this, he was featured in the popular Kit Car Magazine.   One year later his 25 mph golf-cart helps earn him a feature on Plug-In.com.

These days, Mr. Clement is the owner of Fastlane Lube Masters at 6280 Grand Avenue, at Gurnee Mills. He said that he was inspired to build electric cars for the general masses so that they could save money and enjoy driving at the same time. According to his wife Mary, the NEVs would be apt for picking up kids from school, buying groceries and are great for short trips.

It was only recently that he received his township’s Special Use Permit allowing him to service and sell these electric cars. Mr. Clement informed the media that states such as Wisconsin, Texas, Georgia, California, Florida and Arizona already permit these cars on the roads.  By 2010, the state of Illinois would also allow it. However, like most vehicles, users must first acquire registration plates, licenses, certificates of title, insurance, and stickers.

Regarding the issue of cost, Morris Clement quoted $20,000 for new cars and $3,500 for used ones.  Thanks to the economic stimulus bill passed in February, owners of his electric NEVs could qualify for a federal tax rebate up to several thousand dollars.

Mr. Clement is fast developing the 1st prototype, which is called the ‘Orange Crate Special’. He is utilizing an E-Z GO frame by the Textron Company, which is the largest producer of utility vehicles and golf carts. Moreover, just like he did with his record-breaking Cobra, Morris is using race car components in this model. He asserts that the car would be sturdy, safe, and offer superior quality,  stating “I’m very picky because I’ve built my own race cars.”

The chances, however, of everyday drivers switching to these NEVs are slim.  They are suitable for only a narrow range of activities and really expose the plug-in’s liability of constantly having to recharge.  Even if the price were brought down to a level where people in 3rd world countries, who require small cars without fast speeds, could afford it, the infrastructure for electricity just does not exist.  It seems that the production of these types of EVs are heavily dependent on the stimulus package to make them enticing.

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Hitachi, Japan’s largest industrial electronics manufacturer, is devoting significant resources to capture the global car battery market.   Already, they are able to boast of the 100,000 hybrid car order that GM has placed for its lithium-ion batteries.  But, of course, that is not enough.   The Tokyo-based corporation is ramping up its capacity in order to accommodate the needs of 700,000 electric vehicles a year, a gain of 600%.

The Nikkei Business Daily has estimated the expansion costs at between $200 and $300 million.   The completion date would be somewhere around 2015, a time when many more plug-in models are set to hit the road.  The announcement is probably designed to instill confidence in electric-car manufacturers that Hitachi is taking its battery division seriously and will be ready and able to meet future demand.

The company plans on producing two new types of lithium-ion batteries for “next-generation” hybrid vehicles.   The design changes will reflect the industry goal of increased power storage with a reduction in weight and size.   And with many adept battery manufacturers all clamoring for the reputation of providing high quality at a discounted price, the increased production is sure to provide Hitachi with the logistical and engineering experience necessary to emerge as a leader.

Hitachi’s other clients for lithium-ion batteries include Isuzu Motors and Mitsubishi.   They are targeting sales of $1.04 billion by the year 2015 — when global sales of electric-car batteries are expected to surpass $6 billion, according to Nikkei.

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Londoners are about to welcome an all-electric vehicle pod, according to a recent announcement by Zipcar, the world’s largest car-sharing service provider.  As part of a pilot program, the pod will be used to test the profitability and durability of plug-in cars as they are incorporated within their fleet.  The statement comes soon after the company partnered with Westminster City Council, the government municipality that is backing the car club with £200,000.   Members who sign up for the program will also enjoy one hour of free parking and exemptions from various service fees.

The new electric vehicles — a plug-in hybrid Toyota Prius and Citroën c1 — will be placed behind Westminster City Hall, on Spencer Street, where its dedicated EV recharging bay is located.   From there, Zipcar members are being enticed to experience their first-ever  ’zero-carbon journey’.  Zipcar, London’s initial car-sharing service provider, began offering hybrid vehicles in 2003.  Within almost six years, the company was able to add one thousand green cars to its fleet, and they now continue to expand their network of charging stations and vehicle offerings.

In San Francisco, circa February of this year, Zipcar launched a test which, more than likely, had far-reaching effects within the company’s management circle:   Converted Toyota Prius plug-ins were distributed to pods across the entire Bay Area.    As reported by Zipcar, over 85% of customers told the company that they would be interested in driving plug-ins after taking part in the program.  Also mentioned was that the vehicles were driven on battery-power for 75% of the miles travelled. Based on the relative success of the California test-run and customers responses, management surely was encouraged to bring the concept to the crowded streets of London.

Further Alternatives

Also of note is AltCar, another car-sharing project, which offered the Maya 300 vehicle about 2 weeks ago. So far AltCar is a small-scale project, founded by the Maryland Science Center.  ExxonMobil holds a stake in the battery makers responsible for the Maya 300, and unsurprisingly, they have provided AltCar with $500,000 in funding. The Maya 300 would take around six to eight hours to charge, possesses a range of 60 to 120 miles and a not-so-impressive top speed of 25 miles per hour.

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The New Mercedes-Benz Supercar

For those with the patience and the pocketbook, a powerful car is about to hit the markets in the year 2015.  Without a doubt, Mercedes-Benz has ambitions to lead several other high-end auto companies, should the race for plug-in automobiles really take off.   To that end, company representatives have announced a  zero-emission supercar, which is a newer version of the SLS AMG,  that will be publicly unveiled on September 15^th of this year.

The development of the car is still a work-in-progress, as revealed by the engineers of AMG. The officials let it be known that the same signature gullwing style doors and aluminum-based lightweight body would be offered for the SLS eDrive. Even the interior of the car would be standard with minor changes in the switchgear in order to accommodate the underlying electric driveline.

According to the head of AMG, “The great thing is we haven’t had to alter the styling in any way.” He also pointed out that “The very nature of the SLS, with its sizeable engine bay, sturdy torque tube running back along the backbone of the car and the mounting point for fuel tank, lends itself perfectly to adaptation for electrification.”

The Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS eDrive will be a modified version of the standard rear-wheel-drive SLS.  It will be driven by a total of 392kW, coming from four 98-kW motors powering each wheel, providing a sturdy 649 lb-ft of torque.  By comparison, the SLS, powered by a modified version of AMG’s 6.2-liter V8 engine, provides 571 hp and 479 lb-ft.  The new zero-emission car would also include a new pushrod front suspension compared with the standard car’s double-wishbone arrangement.

The plug-in vehicle will use lithium-ion batteries. As stated, they would require 8 hours to recharge on standard outlets, and 5-6 hours if hooked up to a high-density power source.  Moreover, the fuel tank space behind the seats would be utilized for further battery capacity in the car.  All this means a range between 93 and 112 miles, supplemented by captured brake-energy.  Wolf Zimmermann, the head of SLS eDrive, asserts that the top speed of the car would be 120 mph and it would be capable of achieving an acceleration of 0-62 mph in under 4 seconds.

In the words of Mornhinweg, the ultimate goal of the car is being sporty along with electrification. He said, “The goal is to redefine the one-dimensional way electric cars drive today.”

“We didn’t want to do another concept car without any real relevance to what we’re doing today. Instead, we decided to bring the future to us by applying advanced technology we’d already been looking at to a car we’re just about to launch. “

With an expected release date of 2015, that advanced technology is sure to change in the meantime.  And with a long charge-time, limited electric range, and the hefty price-tag that is sure to be attached to any Mercedes plug-in model, one will wonder if this announcement is just meant to bring attention to its green-credentials at a time when every car company is flouting them.   On the other hand, it is possible that Mercedes really sees potential in the technology.   Even if it is just a marketing ploy, this announcement is a first step in getting acquainted with the engineering challenges that face every electric-car manufacturer.

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