You can’t drive a Formula 1 car on public roads as its designed for racetracks and even though drivers have survived horrendous crashes at high speeds, there are other aspects that do not meet safety regulations as well as general vehicle construction requirements in most countries.
However, Mercedes-AMG now offers a something close to a F1 car that can be used on the road. It’s the long-awaited Mercedes-AMG ONE which we have been waiting 5 years for. Now, on the 55th anniversary of the high-performance arm of Mercedes-Benz, the hypercar is ready to go into production and the first of 275 customers will get their car before Christmas. The price – from £2.2 million (about RM12.15 million), which is still considerably ‘cheaper’ than Lewis Hamilton’s racing car.
“With the Mercedes-AMG ONE, we have more than pushed the envelope. The immense technical challenges of making a modern Formula 1 powertrain suitable for everyday road use have undoubtedly pushed us to our limits. Over the duration of the development period, many may have thought that the project would be impossible to implement. Nevertheless, the teams in Affalterbach (home of Mercedes-AMG) and the UK never gave up and believed in themselves. I have the highest respect for all those involved and am proud of this team achievement,” said Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
“To put such a hypercar on wheels is certainly unique. This applies to us as Mercedes-AMG not only from a technical point of view, but also in terms of the close exchange with our loyal customers. Together with us, they have gone through ups but also downs in the course of development. They were an integral part of Project One from the very beginning and can now look forward to the highly exclusive and unique Mercedes-AMG ONE, which has now also been able to clear the next hurdle and passed all ECE certification tests,” he said.
F1 technology for the road
The E PERFORMANCE hybrid drive of the Mercedes-AMG ONE comes directly from Formula 1 and has been developed in close cooperation with Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in England. It is a highly integrated and intelligently networked unit comprising one hybrid, turbocharged combustion engine with 4 electric motors.
The 1.6-litre V6 hybrid petrol engine with electrically assisted single-turbocharging has similar technology to the current power unit in the F1 racing cars. The engine, mounted in mid-engine position in front of the rear axle, revs up to 11,000 rpm. To achieve high engine speeds, the mechanical valve springs have been replaced by pneumatic valve springs. However, for longer durability and the use of commercial fuel, it has been set to stay below the F1 rev limit.
The powerful hybrid powertrain of the Mercedes-AMG ONE has the same technology as the powertrain in the current racing cars of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (below).
Mercedes-AMG’s fastest production car
The hybrid powertrain can produce 1,049 bhp but the maximum torque generated cannot be provided as the drivetrain is too complex, according to Mercedes-AMG. With a top speed of 352 km/h, this will be the brand’s fastest production car and it will be able to go from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 2.9 seconds. Depending on the amount of energy in the battery pack, up to 18 kms of driving on just electricity is said to be possible.
The high-performance lithium-ion battery pack and energy storage system is a special Mercedes-AMG development. Its technology has already proven itself in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team’s racing cars. Two of the electric motors allow the braking energy to be optimally used for recuperation – up to 80% under everyday driving conditions. This energy is stored in the battery and is available for a longer electric range or for more drive performance.
The driver can select from 6 drive programs – from pure electric to racetrack mode. The modes not only alter the powertrain programming but also the active aerodynamics and chassis systems. There is also an Individual mode that allows the driver to personalize the settings.
The Mercedes-AMG ONE has a lightweight and high‑strength carbonfibre monocoque, the technology of which originates from Formula 1. The chassis is an aluminium construction at the front and rear, each with 5 links and 2 adjustable suspension struts. There is adaptive damping adjustment which can be adapted via the drive programs.
Exclusively designed wheels
A new development is the 10-spoke forged aluminium wheel with centre lock, exclusive to the Mercedes-AMG ONE. This has a radial carbonfibre partial cover with an aerodynamically sophisticated shape. It improves the aerodynamic efficiency of the hypercar by enhancing the flow around the wheel.
Also special are the optional 9-spoke magnesium forged wheels designed exclusively for the Mercedes-AMG ONE. In addition to the centre-lock technology, they feature a patented bionic design to maximize lightweight construction and rigidity. The aerodynamically designed carbonfibre partial cover is a good example of the combination of low weight, optimized brake cooling and aerodynamic efficiency. At the same time, 9 air vanes per wheel ensure active ventilation of the wheel arch and thus improved heat dissipation from the brakes.
The active, hydraulically controlled aerodynamics increase downforce on the front and rear axles and also improve aerodynamic efficiency. Depending on the driver’s preference and the selected drive program, 3 different aerodynamic setups are available.
Function in every detail
The interior design concept follows function on the racetrack and every detail has a function. ‘No styling’ is the design consequence resulting from the requirements for this driving machine. The design is a synthesis of sculptural form language and uncompromising racing design. In the bold minimalism of the monocoque interior, the reduced components are emphasized and showcased in terms of design and function.
The ergonomically contoured interior has room for two occupants on racing seats. The centre tunnel is also a functional part of the carbonfibre support structure. It blends fully into the seat sculpture and follows the principle of minimalism with its gently rising contour.
The slim wing profile of the instrument panel appears light as if floating. As a functional structural component, it also stiffens the monocoque of the hypercar. The two high-resolution, free-standing 10-inch displays with individual Mercedes-AMG ONE graphics are finished with high-quality real-metal parts and adapted to the instrument panel.
In the radically designed race steering wheel, operating and functional elements are combined with original racing car components to ensure safe operation in extreme driving situations. The ‘shift light’ is displayed at the top of the steering wheel rim, as is usual in racing cars. The steering wheel, which is flattened at the top and bottom and has an integrated airbag. It includes motorsport trim elements whereby the two integrated AMG steering wheel buttons can be used to activate various functions without having to take the hands off the wheel.
The Mercedes-AMG developers have also thought about suitability for everyday use and further ease of operation. The user interface is integrated as an autonomous concept. The most important information is displayed on the road in the line of vision above the steering wheel, so that the driver is not distracted. To ensure optimal rearward visibility despite the vertical wing on the rear, the interior mirror is replaced by a screen. It shows real-time footage from a MirrorCam integrated into the rear.
While the quality of all materials will be of the same superior standard as other Mercedes-AMG models, customers also have extensive options for very personal individualization if the already exclusive nature of the hypercar is still inadequate.
Keyword: The 1,049 bhp Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar is ready for production