PROJECT ONE

With the GT range, Mercedes-amg is capable of competing with the best in class and the brand is now preparing to take yet another step up the performance ladder.

Its Project ONE car will not just take the fight to Ferrari, Porsche, Pagani, Koenigsegg and other hypercar manufacturers, but it will notably employ the F1 powertrain used to power Hamilton and Rosberg to three world titles in as many years. No other manufacturer has attempted to use an entire F1 powertrain in a road-going car.

Project ONE will be powered by the same 1,6-litre turbocharged V6, with four electric motors comprising the hybrid component, and featuring the same revolutionary split turbo. One electric motor will supplement power to the crank and one will be used to recoup energy from (and alleviate lag in) the turbocharger, exactly like an F1 car. Two additional motors will drive each front wheel, each with its own gearbox to deliver drive to the front axle. High-capacity batteries mounted in the floor will drive the entire electrical system. Best of all, the guaranteed service life is 50 000 km. Not too bad for a car that will produce an excess of 750 kw from just 1,6 litres.

The Project One will be launched in 2019 and, when questioned about its aspirations for its impending hypercar, AMG representatives were quick to point out that lap times are the main aim. They won’t be targeting any top-speed records as the car will be optimised to go quickly around corners. Just 275 lucky owners will get to experience F1 power on the road.