In 2017, Mercedes unveiled the AMG Project One at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The engineers called their new masterpiece "Project One." Revealed as a road car with an F1-derived engine, this beast of a car is one of the purest translations of a racing car. The hypercar is based on the Formula 1 Silver Arrow, which recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. This race car was the beginning of the boom in Mercedes-AMG, back when Mercedes-Benz was still using six cylinders.
Mercedes-AMG plans to produce 275 vehicles for $ 2.72 million each, with all units already sold. While the company initially planned to launch its vehicle in 2019, it announced that customers would not take delivery until 2021. The delay is that the engine needed to be dramatically modified to function on public roads. Follow us as we spill the beans on what makes Project One so incredible.
10 Bugatti Chiron-Rivalling Powertrain
The Bugatti is one of the most powerful cars ever built. Its 1,500 hp emanating from an 8-liter engine is enough proof of this fact. In comparison, Project One uses a tiny 1.6-liter V6 engine along with four electric motors. Despite the gulfs in power, Mercedes’ vehicle can attain a top speed of 217 mph and move from rest to 60 mph in around 60 seconds.
To do this, the Merc’s V6 churns out 700 hp, and another 500 hp is gotten from three electric motors. A fourth motor ensures that power delivery is constant by spinning the turbocharger. While Mercedes-AMG has built some powerful cars, this is the most outrageous yet.
9 Carbon Fiber Materials
Mercedes announced that as much as 62% of the Mercedes AMG Project One's 3,984 lbs are made from Carbon Fiber and other composites. The automaker also claims that the hypercar will be the lightest supercar ever made. After production, the vehicle is expected to weigh an estimated 2,866 lbs.
There is no doubt that carbon fiber tubs, chassis, and body panels will be the norm in supercars within the next decade. The Mercedes Project 1 Hypercar is a perfect example of this trend.
8 Motorized Suspension System
The suspension system of Project One will be a motorized air suspension that adjusts to the driving style. The system consists of a front and rear axle with eight adjustable spring elements per wheel, a stabilizing bar at the show, and a double-wishbone in the rear.
It is expected to take milliseconds for the adjustment. The system remains in this position until it is re-adjusted by the driver or when AMG driver fatigue recognition intervenes.
7 1,000 Horsepower Capacity
The Mercedes AMG Project One is expected to have 1560hp which equates to a power-to-weight ratio of over 1,000hp per tonne. This powerful hypercar will use an electrical turbocharger instead of a standard air turbocharger. It will make much more boost than standard engines because it doesn't need the air compressor that produces 200ps.
The Project One Hypercar is an excellent example of how to make a low-volume, hybrid hypercar. With 1,000 hp capacity, it would give cars like the Porsche 918 Spyder a run for their money.
6 Carbon Ceramic Braking System
Carbon-Ceramic brakes combine the numerous benefits of carbon brakes with the resilience and durability that ceramic materials offer. These brakes are already fitted into some of the most expensive supercars on the market now, and the Mercedes-AMG Project One hypercar has a fully integrated carbon-ceramic braking system as part of its concept.
The carbon-ceramic brake will work with a regenerative braking system to reduce speed. In all the braking system improves the general handling of Mercedes' hypercar and provides an exhilarating driving experience.
5 11,000-RPM Red Line
That's right, this roadgoing hypercar, which will house a Formula One engine, enjoys a clear 11,000rpm redline. That's over 1000rpm more than what the Ferrari LaFerrari can produce. It might seem like such a difference is too small to care about.
Still, considering that Project One will also develop twice as much torque as anything else currently in production (over 1000lb-ft difference at 8250rpm), you could toy with its redline for days.
4 F1-Style Air Intake
The Mercedes AMG Project One Hypercar will have an F1-Style Air Intake, virtually eliminating the chances of overheating. This is part of the aggressive new styling theme on Project One, which has been designed to optimize the airflow on the car and generates much downforce.
The F1-style Air Intake system promotes smoother airflow to engine cylinders through ground effect channels under the front wings, working with the NACA duct slots in the car's bodywork. Inside the engine bay, you will notice how the intake acts like an aerodynamic mouthpiece sucking in air for combustion.
3 4 Drive Modes
The Mercedes AMG Project One supercar has set new standards in automotive engineering and will be the most exquisite and technologically advanced super sports car of its kind. The hypercar is essentially a street-legal F1 car. In addition to its outrageous speed and capabilities, the car comes with four different modes to choose from, which allows drivers to adjust the high-tech machine to their favorite driving style.
The drive modes are E-drive, Hybrid, Boost, and Top Speed, and with the touch of a button, you can switch driving modes. At top speed, the One will fall into the category of cars that are barely street-legal.
2 Cockpit
The Project One’s interior is another reminder that this is indeed an F1-inspired hypercar. The monocoque houses bucket seats, and the driver is treated to a cool adjustable steering wheel, along with pedals for fine-tuning. The cockpit design is minimalist, with a focus on high-tech.
There are clusters of sophisticated controls everywhere you look, with the highlight being two 10 inch display screens; one screen serves as the infotainment system, while the other is the instrument cluster. Additionally, the steering wheel looks like something straight from an F1 race.
1 Active Aerodynamics
In line with its vision to build an F1 car for the streets, Mercedes-AMG has fitted the One with some interesting aerodynamic functions. The most outstanding, however, are vents positioned just on top of the front wheels. On each side of the vehicle’s front clam, four panels are hinging upwards to form gill-like structures behind the headlights.
Also, the two-piece wing, which expands across the car’s rear, serves as active aero. A massive diffuser swaddles the rear end and up the sides to improve downforce.