The announcement comes just days after Audi confirmed it had pulled the plug on the R8 e-tron electric supercar project, which at 8:09.099 had held the outgoing lap record for just under a year.

Using F1-derived battery technology and electric motors at each wheel, the SLS AMG Coupe Electric Drive offers a total output of 740bhp, with 738lb/ft torque, passing 62mph from rest in 3.9 seconds on the way to an electronically limited 155mph. Because of its four-motor drivetrain, the car is able to control each wheel independently for the best possible handling.

Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, commented: ‘Mercedes-AMG is the first vehicle manufacturer which makes it possible to circle the Nordschleife in under eight minutes with an electrically-powered series production vehicle. This record run is another proof for our constant innovative vigour.’

The SLS AMG will go on sale in selected markets later this month, priced at €416,500 (£354,000) in Germany.