Mercedes-AMG Project One

The Mercedes-AMG Project One (stylized as ONE) is an upcoming production sports car that will be powered by Formula 1 technology.^[1] It will be launched at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. As it does have a F1 powertrain, it will become the first to do so.

Although looking like a F1-inspired sports car with a strong character, Mercedes-AMG boss, Tobias Moers, says the car's main character is to be a sports car with full comfort on the road.

The Project One's is currently being evaluated by its performance, durability, and ability in Mercedes-Benz's proving grounds and on racing circuits. Tobias Moers also says when "the time is right", Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 driver Lewis Hamilton will be testing the prototypes.^[2]

In April 16, 2017, the Project One became sold out for the United States.^[3]

The Project One will be competing alongside the Aston Martin Valkyrie, and unnamed sports cars by Audi and BMW.^[4][5]

Design

Not a lot is known about the design, but Mercedes-Benz's teaser images of the car shows the car will have an LMP1-inspired exterior design.^[6][7] Later, in April 2017, Mercedes-AMG revealed the car will have doors that will be very distinct compared to regular high-performance cars.^[8]

The interior has not been shown yet.

Specifications

Engine

The Mercedes-AMG Project One will use a 1.6-liter turbocharged 90-degree V6 from their Formula 1 car.^[9] This engine is going to come from the Mercedes-AMG F1 W07, as confirmed by Mercedes-AMG board member Ola Källenius.^[10] The engine will be drastically changed in terms of RPM, areas like the idle speed and redline, as their current status is illegal for the road. The boss of Mercedes-AMG, Tobias Moers, says the engine will be at 1,280 rpm when idle, and 11,000 for the redline.^[11] However, the engine will only last for 31,068.5 mi (50,000 km) and the owners will have to return their cars for engine refurbishment.^[12] It is still unknown how the engine has met emission regulations.^[2] The engine produces 748 hp (558 kW; 758 PS), with torque still unknown. The engine will be combined with four electric motors, with one per wheel. Each motor produces 68 hp (51 kW; 69 PS), and with all four of them producing 272 hp (203 kW; 276 PS). The total power output for the car will be 1,020 hp (761 kW; 1,034 PS) combined.^[13]

Battery

The batteries are from Mercedes-AMG's Formula 1 cars, these being the Motor Generator Unit-Kinetic (MGU-K) and the Motor Generator Unit-Heat (MGU-H). The MGU-K is installed on the main driveshaft. Its purpose is to help spin the rear wheels and recover the same kinetic energy while braking.^[9] The MGU-H is installed on the turbocharger. It is used to spool the turbo and help prevent turbo-lag issues.^[9] It can also recover wasted gas from the exhaust and turn in into kinetic energy. Another two batteries will be running the front wheels for an all-wheel drive drivetrain, which means all four motors together will be delivering 272 hp (203 kW; 276 PS).^[13]

Transmission

The transmission will be a single-clutch automated manual variant, and delivers the power to the rear wheels. The use of a single clutch plate was meant to keep the car lightweight. It is unknown how fast the shifts will be.

Drivetrain

The drivetrain is all-wheel-drive, with the engine power being delivered to the rear, and an independent electrically-driven front axle.^[2]

Chassis

The chassis is built around their F1 car.^[2] The body will be made entirely of carbon-fiber to keep the car lightweight.^[9] The chassis has been found to be lightweight, with Tobias Moers saying it is to expected at around 1,300 kg (2,866 lb).^[2]

Production

The production run of the Project One will be at 275 units. 1000 customers have asked to order the Project One. The price of the car will be listed at €2,275,000 ($2,458,706).^[11]

References