The final work on the Mercedes-Benz AMG One hypercar will be ahead of the delayed launch in 2021, but things are not going as smoothly as the engineers probably hoped.
AMG currently has two prototypes in its development center on the Nürburgring, the first of which broke down on the short drive to its first planned test on the German race track.
Mercedes-Benz AMG One spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf / SB-Medien
Fortunately, our spy photographer was on hand and was able to take these close-ups of the car, including its interior.
The prototype collapse is just one of several setbacks that plagued the development of the Formula 1 hypercar. Let’s remember that the car was presented in concept form at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2017 as Project One and confirmed at the time of launch in 2019. However, it takes longer than expected to get the engine ready for road use – certainly not an easy task. The last time we heard that the car would be delivered to customers in 2021.
Mercedes AMG W07 Hybrid 2016 Formula 1 engine
The biggest problem was emissions, a task made more stringent by the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) emissions standard that came into force in Europe in 2019. This standard is stricter than the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) it replaces. and to achieve this, AMG has to develop several exhaust treatment systems, among other things. Hopefully the crazy sound of the car won’t be diminished.
In case you forgot, the One has the actual engine used in Mercedes’ multi-award-winning F1 cars (specifically the unit from the 2015 championship-winning car) in its In the middle, a 1.6-liter V-turbocharged V is mounted. 6 complete with a redline of 11,000 rpm and a turbo-mounted electric motor generator. The One has three additional electric motor-generators, one mounted on the engine and two on the front axle to form an all-wheel drive system.
Mercedes-Benz AMG One
The combined power is over 1,000 hp. The special setup also enables electric driving, although a range estimate is not clear as there are no details on the size of the on-board battery.
Some performance estimates we know of include an acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in well under 3.0 seconds, an acceleration from 0 to 124 mph in less than 6.0 seconds, and a top speed of about 217 mph (likely limited by aerodynamics). None other than F1 ace Lewis Hamilton helped develop the car. The seven-time world champion has even expressed interest in developing his own specification, a potential special edition “LH”.
Lewis Hamilton with a Mercedes-Benz AMG One prototype
In addition to the special drive train, the One benefits from high downforce. The active aerodynamics, which was subjected to a wind tunnel test with the help of F1 engineers, has a multi-part, two-stage extendable rear wing for maximum downforce in racing mode. We hear up to 1,500 pounds.
The design of the push rod suspension and the lightweight carbon fiber construction of the One are also borrowed from the world of F1.
Mercedes-Benz AMG One prototype
Unfortunately only 275 copies will be built and all build slots will be sold. Production is expected to take place on Mercedes’ F1 base in the UK using the same suppliers as the F1 team.
When it finally arrives, the One will face another F1-tech-laden hypercar, the Aston Martin Valkyrie. The Aston was also originally due in 2019 but has also been delayed until 2021. Street versions of the new Le Mans hypercar competitors from Toyota, Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus and ByKolles Racing should also provide competition.
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