Mercedes-AMG's 1,000-HP Hypercar Debuts This September
The crazy minds at a certain German automaker are calling it Project One and it sounds like a ridiculous machine.
Last year at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-AMG confirmed it was working on a hypercar featuring the same powertrain found in the Mercedes-AMG Formula One team’s world championship winners. The company has spilled some details about Project One, confirming it will debut at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show in September to help celebrate AMG’s 50th anniversary. If all goes as planned, deliveries will start in 2018.
Considering Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing are developing the AM-RB 001 hypercar, it’s understandable that Mercedes-AMG is keeping relatively quiet about Project One. But AMG boss Tobias Moers couldn’t help but share a few tidbits, saying that it will deliver at least 1,000 horsepower. He added that the biggest challenge in getting a Formula 1 powerplant to work in a street car is making it run smoothly at low RPMs while being emissions compliant at higher revs. Like the AM-RB 001, the Project One plans on revving quite high – up to 10,000 rpm.
SEE ALSO: Mercedes-AMG Hypercar Aims to be Efficiency King
The Formula 1’s power unit features a 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 engine, two motor generators, and a lithium-ion battery. One of the motor generators is mated to the main driveshaft to help power the rear wheels as well as recover energy under braking. The other unit is integrated into the engine’s turbocharger and helps spool up the turbo to prevent lag. It too can recapture energy, but from exhaust gasses.
Unlike the Formula 1 race car, Project One will also have an electric motor or two powering the front wheels, and a small all-electric range of about 15 miles on a single charge is a possibility.
Above is the only teaser image Mercedes-AMG has released on its hypercar, which will be limited to at most 300 units. Moers previously said the hypercar will be the most efficient performance car in every aspect, including aerodynamics, fuel economy, weight and power.
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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