Mercedes-AMG Project One Brings Formula 1 Tech to the Road

The hypercar segment is getting even more exciting with the debut of the Mercedes-AMG Project One.

Unveiled ahead of its public display at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Mercedes-AMG Project One has the goal of bringing Formula 1 technology to the road and star race car driver Lewis Hamilton was even at the launch to tell everyone how excited he is about this hybrid exotic.

As expected, the high-performance hybrid produces more than 1,000 horsepower and has a top speed of at least 217 mph (350 km/h). The hypercar can also accelerate from a standstill to 124 mph (200 km/h) in less than 6 seconds. The powertrain comes directly from Formula 1 with a high-revving 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 engine combined with four electric motors, which Mercedes-AMG says should give it faster throttle response time than a naturally aspirated V8. The mid-engine setup is capable of reaching engine speeds of 11,000 rpm, which is unique for a production, road-going car.

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The front axle is purely electrically driven with two 120-kW electric motors and torque vectoring should help the car’s handling. Although it likely won’t appeal to anyone purchasing the Project One, the hypercar will be capable of traveling up to 15.5 miles (25 kilometers) on electric power alone. The entire powertrain is paired to an AMG eight-speed automated manual transmission.

2017 Frankfurt Motor Show Coverage

The exterior styling is extreme, as expected from a hypercar. The roof features an air intake derived from Formula 1, and like race cars, the doors open forwards and upwards. The Project One gets exclusive 10-spoke, forged aluminum wheels with center lock. Up front at 19×10-inch wheels wrapped with 235/35/19 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, while the rear gets much wider and larger 20×12-inch wheels with 335/30/20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The German automaker said the tires are exclusively developed for the hypercar.

Stopping performance comes from an advanced, weight-optimized ceramic high-performance compound braking system. Benz says about 80 percent of the braking energy can be recuperated and sent back to the battery.

And as a car intended for the street, it seats two with bucket seats that have adjustable backrests integrated into the monocoque. The pedals and steering wheel are adjustable, so the driver can set an ideal driving position. The interior is obviously F1 inspired with its flat bottom and top steering wheel. The rear view mirror has also been replaced by a live feed the areas around the car.

As for pricing and availability, it will cost around €2.275-million (around $2.72-million USD) and production has been limited to 275 units.

“Motorsport is not an end in itself for us. Faced with intense competition, we develop technologies from which our production vehicles also subsequently benefit. We are drawing on our experiences and successes from three constructors’ and drivers’ world championships to bring Formula 1 technology to the road for the first time: in Mercedes-AMG Project One,” says Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

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