The Mercedes-amg Project One, unveiled at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, represents a monumental leap in automotive engineering. This two-seater supersports show car brings cutting-edge, fully-fledged Formula 1 hybrid technology directly from the racetrack to the road. Celebrating AMG’s 50th anniversary, the Project ONE stands as a testament to performance and innovation, boasting over 1,000 horsepower and top speeds exceeding 217 mph (350 km/h). It masterfully blends unparalleled racetrack performance with the suitability for daily driving offered by Formula 1 hybrid technology, setting a new global benchmark for automotive excellence. Mercedes-AMG takes full responsibility for Project ONE’s realization, collaborating closely with Formula 1 experts at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport Formula 1 team in Brackley. Alongside the AMG GT Concept four-door, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE offers a glimpse into the future of performance-hybrid drive strategies within Mercedes-Benz.
For decades, engineers have aspired to transfer motorsport technology to everyday vehicles. Mercedes-AMG has now achieved this ambition at the highest echelon. Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, emphasizes this commitment: “Motorsport is instrumental in our technological advancements. The intense competition drives us to develop technologies that subsequently benefit our production vehicles. Drawing from our three constructors’ and drivers’ world championships, we are proud to introduce Formula 1 technology to the road for the first time in the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE.”
Ola Källenius, Member of the Daimler AG Board of Management responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, highlights the groundbreaking nature of the Project ONE: “The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is essentially a Formula 1 car cleared for road use. Its highly efficient hybrid system, derived directly from motor racing, coupled with an electrically driven front axle, creates a captivating blend of performance and efficiency. With a system output surpassing 1,000 hp and a top speed beyond 217 mph (350 km/h), this hypercar’s performance is as breathtaking as its appearance.”
The concept car offers concrete indications of the production model’s capabilities. Tobias Moers, Head of Management at Mercedes-AMG GmbH, describes the hypercar’s significance: “This hypercar represents our most ambitious undertaking to date. It marks a new zenith in Mercedes-AMG’s strategic evolution towards a leading performance and sports car brand. Project ONE elevates technological feasibility to unprecedented levels and establishes an absolute benchmark through its fusion of efficiency and performance. Moreover, Project ONE previews how AMG will define driving performance in the years to come.”
Powertrain: A Symphony of Turbocharging and Electric Power
The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE’s high-performance plug-in hybrid drive system is a direct descendant of Formula 1 technology, developed in close collaboration with Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth. It comprises a highly integrated and intelligently networked unit featuring a hybrid, turbocharged combustion engine and four electric motors. One electric motor is integrated into the turbocharger, another is directly mounted on the combustion engine linked to the crankcase, and the remaining two power the front wheels.
The heart of the powertrain is a 1.6-liter V6 hybrid gasoline engine with direct injection and electrically assisted single turbocharging, mirroring the engine used in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 cars. It features four overhead camshafts driven by spur gears and pneumatic valve springs instead of mechanical ones to enable exceptionally high engine speeds. Positioned mid-engine, ahead of the rear axle, it can reach speeds of 11,000 rpm, a figure unparalleled in road-legal vehicles. To enhance durability and allow the use of commercially available “Super Plus” gasoline instead of racing fuel, the maximum engine speed is intentionally set below the F1 engine limit. The electric motors on the front axle are equally impressive, capable of rotor revolutions up to 50,000 rpm, significantly exceeding the current state-of-the-art speed of 20,000 rpm.
This high-revving engine is further augmented by an advanced turbocharger. The exhaust gas and compressor turbines are physically separated and optimally positioned relative to the V6 engine’s exhaust and intake sides, connected by a shaft. This shaft incorporates a roughly 90 kW electric motor (Motor Generator Unit Heat – MGU-H), which electrically drives the compressor turbine at speeds up to 100,000 rpm, depending on operational needs, such as during initial acceleration or load changes.
Lightning-Quick Response: Surpassing Naturally Aspirated V8s
The electric turbocharger effectively eliminates turbo lag, the delayed response experienced with traditional turbochargers due to inertia. Throttle response in the Project ONE is remarkably swift, even faster than a naturally aspirated V8 engine. Furthermore, the electric turbocharger recuperates surplus energy from the exhaust system to generate electricity. This energy is either stored in the high-voltage lithium-ion battery or used to provide additional drive power via another electric motor. This additional motor (Motor Generator Unit Kinetic – MGU-K), producing 120 kW, is directly mounted on the engine and linked to the crankshaft via spur gears, another technology maximizing efficiency and performance, directly from Formula 1.
Innovative All-Wheel Drive with Electric Front Axle
The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE features two additional 120 kW electric motors at the front axle, each connected to a front wheel via a reduction gear. This fully electric front axle enables individual acceleration and braking of each front wheel, facilitating selective torque distribution (torque vectoring) for exceptional vehicle dynamics. These axle motors also allow for significant energy recuperation, estimated at up to 80 percent of braking energy under normal driving conditions. This recovered energy is stored in the battery, extending the electric driving range. Each electric motor is governed by its own power electronics, located near the motors in the vehicle’s floor assembly.
Exceptional Thermal Efficiency
The combustion engine with electric turbocharger (MGU-H), combined with the crankshaft-mounted electric motor (MGU-K), achieves a thermal efficiency exceeding 40 percent. This unprecedented value for series production vehicles underscores the drive system’s efficiency leadership. The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE extracts significantly more drive energy per liter of fuel compared to conventional cars, making it both powerful and economical. In comparison, conventional series production engines typically achieve thermodynamic efficiency between 33 and 38 percent.
Technical Data Snapshot
| Feature | Mercedes-AMG Project ONE Show Car |
|---|---|
| Rear-Wheel Drive | 1.6-liter V6, direct injection, electric turbocharger, crankshaft e-motor |
| Engine Capacity | 1,600 cc |
| Rear-Wheel Drive Output | > 500 kW |
| Front-Wheel Drive Output | 2 x 120 kW |
| System Output | > 740 kW (> 1,000 hp) |
| Electric Range | 25 km |
| Drive System | Variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, torque vectoring |
| Transmission | Automated AMG SPEEDSHIFT 8-speed manual |
| Acceleration 0-200 km/h | < 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | > 350 km/h |
Formula 1 Battery Technology
The battery cells, their configuration, and the cooling system in the Project ONE are identical to those used in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 racing car. However, the Project ONE features a greater quantity of battery cells, enhancing its practicality for everyday use. The lithium-ion, high-voltage battery and the DC/DC converter, which supports and charges the 12 V onboard electrical system, are efficiently packaged within the vehicle floor behind the front axle.
Another innovation is the high-voltage EQ Power+ drive system operating at 800 volts, doubling the typical 400-volt standard. This higher voltage significantly reduces cable diameters, saving space and weight.
Intelligent Operating Strategies
The high-performance EQ Power+ plug-in hybrid drive system employs sophisticated operating strategies optimized for various driving scenarios. Driving modes range from purely electric operation to a highly dynamic mode akin to Formula 1 qualifying settings for optimal lap times. Despite the system’s complexity, the driver always experiences the ideal balance of performance and efficiency, leveraging Mercedes-AMG’s extensive Formula 1 expertise, SLS AMG Electric Drive experience, and Daimler AG’s broader research and development.
For instance, the vehicle can start purely on electric power, utilizing the front axle motors and the crankshaft motor for initial acceleration. Upon increased accelerator input and power demand, the V6 engine engages, unleashing the full system power as engine speed rises. The Race Start function facilitates impressive acceleration, propelling the car from 0 to 124 mph (200 km/h) in under six seconds. When the driver releases the accelerator for coasting, the system reverts to electric drive via the front axle, and under normal braking, up to 80 percent of energy is recuperated and fed back into the battery.
Newly Developed 8-Speed Manual Transmission
Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a completely new 8-speed manual transmission, purpose-built for the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE. It features hydraulic activation and can be operated in automated mode or manually using shift paddles.
Advanced Chassis and Dynamics
The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE’s exceptional driving dynamics are underpinned by a lightweight, high-strength carbon-fiber monocoque body, another technology derived from Formula 1. Similarly, the engine and transmission are integral structural components, directly supporting the rear suspension.
The suspension system utilizes multi-link designs at both front and rear axles, featuring adjustable coil-over suspension with unique push-rod spring struts oriented transversely to the direction of travel. This innovative arrangement replaces conventional tubular cross members, effectively counteracting rolling movements during rapid directional changes without compromising comfort. The overall suspension setup is calibrated for balanced, predictable, and sporty handling, further enhanced by all-wheel drive and torque vectoring. Standard ABS is complemented by AMG’s three-stage adjustable ESP® system, offering settings for safety (ESP® ON), sporty handling (ESP® SPORT HANDLING MODE), and track driving (ESP® OFF).
Exclusive Forged Wheels and High-Performance Brakes
The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE features exclusive 10-spoke forged aluminum wheels with center locks. These are fitted with radial carbon-fiber semi-covers designed for aerodynamic efficiency, optimizing airflow around the wheels to improve the car’s drag coefficient. Ventilation slots within each spoke section ensure optimal brake heat dissipation.
The Project ONE is equipped with size 10.0 J x 19 wheels at the front, fitted with 285/35 ZR 19 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires specifically developed for this hypercar, and size 12.0 J x 20 wheels at the rear, with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 335/30 ZR 20 tires. An advanced, weight-optimized ceramic high-performance compound braking system further enhances driving dynamics and agility by reducing unsprung masses. Ceramic brakes also offer extended service life, superior corrosion resistance, and higher thermal stability. The “AMG Carbon Ceramic” lettering and specially painted brake calipers visually distinguish this system.
Exterior Design: Functional Beauty
The design of the Project ONE is clearly inspired by top-tier motorsport, embodying AMG’s principle that fascination is intrinsically linked to function. Every design element serves a specific purpose. The resulting mid-engine concept features muscular proportions, a forward-positioned cockpit, prominent wheel arches, a tapered waistline, and an elongated rear.
Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG, describes the Project ONE’s design ethos: “The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is our most intensely designed car, blending our Sensual Purity design philosophy with Formula 1 racing car performance, perfectly embodying Performance Luxury. Its extreme design sets a new benchmark – characterized by minimalist lines and an interior stripped to essentials.”
Front View: Powerful Functionality
The front is defined by a broad front fascia with extensive air inlets spanning the vehicle’s width. A trapezoidal center section prominently displays a large, white AMG logo, with the Mercedes star positioned above. The signature AMG A-wing below the center section provides a silver accent, seamlessly merging into the front fenders. Large air inlets on either side, framed by U-shaped flaps and subdivided by black horizontal fins, are prominent. Flat LED headlamps integrate smoothly into the body contours. Black air outlets in the hood direct hot airflow around the driver compartment, ensuring unobstructed fresh airflow to the roof-mounted intake tract. The automatically extending front splitter and active ventilation louvers in the front wheel arches enhance downforce at the front axle, contributing to the car’s aerodynamic balance.
Flanks and Fenders: Taut and Muscular
The low, dynamic greenhouse features a distinctive spherical architecture with a unique window pattern. The large, dark area highlights technical components, creating a visual contrast with the vehicle’s clean lines. The roofline is dominated by a Formula 1-derived air intake for engine air supply. This black intake transitions into a vertical black shark fin, enhancing lateral stability at high speeds. The rear window, integrated into the intake/roof-fin unit, offers a view of the powertrain. Two large NACA air inlets ensure optimal airflow to the engine and transmission oil coolers at the rear. The side view showcases a sensuous, clean surface design combined with functional elements. Recessed vehicle flanks and black carbon-fiber surfaces redirect airflow around the body, mirroring motorsport designs. The Petronas green paintbrush design on the flanks is by the same artist who designed the Formula 1 racing car livery. Muscular fenders tightly envelop all four wheels, conveying a sense of dynamic readiness. The doors open both forwards and upwards, motorsport-inspired. The fuel filler flap is on the rear right, and the charge socket for the plug-in hybrid battery is on the rear left.
Rear End: Function and Fascination
The sharp, vertical spoiler lip and the large, two-section diffuser, bisected by the central exhaust tailpipe, along with the two-stage extendable rear aerofoil, maximize aerodynamic efficiency and high-speed performance. The exhaust tailpipe design, with its large central outlet and two smaller round apertures, is directly adopted from Formula 1 cars. The muscular rear fascia, featuring a large black mesh and carbon-fiber components, further enhances the visual impact. The rear lights incorporate three rhomboid lighting elements, echoing the AMG brand logo and headlamp design.
Interior: Formula 1 for Two
The interior design prioritizes racetrack functionality, reflected in its radical and minimalist design language. Formula 1 technology is tangibly present both on the track and road. Every detail serves a purpose, with no purely decorative elements. In the monocoque interior, components are reduced and emphasized in a minimalist style, both aesthetically and functionally.
The ergonomically sculpted interior accommodates two occupants. Bucket seats with adjustable backrests are integrated into the monocoque. Adjustable pedals and steering wheel allow drivers to achieve an optimal driving position. The center tunnel visually separates the driver and passenger areas, seamlessly blending into the seat structure with a gently rising contour, adhering to the principle of minimalism.
Functional and Structural Interior
The lightweight construction is evident in the dashboard’s slim, wing-like profile, appearing light and free-floating. As a functional structural component, it also enhances the monocoque’s rigidity. Two high-resolution, free-standing 10-inch displays—one slightly raised in front of the driver, the other angled towards the driver on the center console—are mounted using high-quality, weight-optimized solid metal components. A double-nozzle ventilation unit is suspended beneath the center screen, resembling a gondola, forming a single unit with the screen to emphasize lightweight design. The displays’ rectangular form is echoed in the ventilation nozzles and the center console, which houses the start/stop button. A high-quality stowage compartment, a reduced switch array, and the engine start button are also seamlessly integrated as a unit, with a transparent lid on the stowage compartment.
Formula 1-Style Steering Wheel
The steering wheel, with flattened upper and lower sections and an integrated airbag, offers motorsport functionality. Two integrated controllers adjust driving modes and suspension setup, while an LED shift display is positioned at the upper steering wheel area. Door panels are crafted from functional, high-grade carbon-fiber, seamlessly integrating into the sporty interior. Mirroring exterior aero winglets, the door paneling is visually interrupted to accommodate technical elements and a concave door center panel. An aluminum cassette integrates air vents and deeply recessed rectangular power window switches.
Practicality and Connectivity
Mercedes-AMG engineers have ensured everyday usability and convenience. Small items can be stored in compartments behind the seats. Air conditioning and power windows are standard, and the COMAND infotainment system provides connectivity. The user interface is designed as an autonomous concept, displaying essential information in the driver’s line of sight above the steering wheel to minimize distraction. A screen replaces the rear-view mirror, displaying real-time images from a mirror cam, with the aluminum screen housing integrated into the roof, also housing other controls.
Racing-Inspired Materials and Colors
The color and material choices draw inspiration from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 racing car. Sculptured racing seats are upholstered in slip-resistant black microfiber, directly referencing motorsport. Seat surfaces feature magma grey nappa leather inlays and sporty textile mesh for optimal seat ventilation, accented with yellow contrasting topstitching.
The Future of Driving Performance
The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is more than just an ultimate driving machine, it directly translates current Formula 1 hybrid technology to the road, combining top-tier racetrack performance with everyday usability. It serves as a crucial platform for gathering insights into performance-oriented plug-in hybrid drive technology, advanced suspension designs, and enhanced onboard electronics, all of which will benefit future series production AMG vehicles. The Project ONE team is dedicated to successfully bringing this groundbreaking vision to the road, shaping the future of driving performance.
