The F1 car for the road is finally ready, five years later.
Mercedes-BenzNearly five years after Mercedes first revealed its AMG One hypercar, the production version has finally arrived. The wild looks and aero remain largely unchanged in the transition from concept to production car, and the final specs are mind-blowing.
As a reminder, the AMG One is Mercedes’s attempt at a Formula 1 car for the road. Though it doesn’t look like an F1 car, it uses a drivetrain derived from the power unit found in the company’s F1 cars. That means a mid-mounted, high-revving turbocharged V-6 engine paired to an electric motor, sending power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed sequential transmission and a limited-slip differential. Where the AMG One differs is at the front axle. There are two 120-kW electric motors in the nose, one to power each wheel. Because they’re not mechanically linked, torque vectoring for increased cornering ability is made simple.
The 1.6-liter engine makes a maximum of 574 hp at 9000 rpm, though redline is all the way at 11,000. The electric motor attached to the engine, also known as the MGU-K, makes 163 hp on its own. The two front-mounted electric motors make a combined 326 hp. In all, maximum output is 1063 hp, according to Mercedes. As for torque, the company says it can’t be provided because of how complex the drivetrain is. Mercedes quotes a 0-62 time of 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 218 mph.
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Supporting the carbon-fiber body and monocoque is a multi-link suspension setup with push-rod coilovers and adaptive dampers. There are also carbon-ceramic brakes and nine-spoke magnesium forged wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires developed specifically for the AMG One. There’s plenty of active aero to be found along the body, including a splitter that folds into the bumper when not in use, and active air vents (louvers) above the front wheel wells to relieve pressure. The car, when in race mode, even has a DRS (Drag Reduction System) function, flattening the flap on the rear wing and the louvers to lower downforce by 20 percent for optimal straightaway speed. It can be deactivated manually or automatically when the brakes are pressed or there’s enough lateral acceleration occurring.
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Inside you’ll find a stripped-out cockpit with just enough room for two occupants. The seat bottoms are fixed, while the steering wheel and pedal box are adjustable, so the driver can still find the best seating position. There are two 10-inch screens to display all the necessary information to the driver, and a Formula 1-style steering wheel with an integrated airbag.
It’s not clear when deliveries for the AMG One will start, though production is confirmed to begin sometime in 2022 after years of delays. After five years of waiting, we’re sure buyers are getting impatient. But at least the payoff will be worth it.
Keyword: Production Mercedes-AMG One Gets 1063 HP and 11,000-RPM Redline