The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is a groundbreaking hypercar that made its debut at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. This two-seater show car represents the pinnacle of AMG’s 50th-anniversary celebration, bringing cutting-edge, efficient Formula 1 hybrid technology from the racetrack to public roads. Boasting over 1,000 horsepower and capable of speeds exceeding 217 mph (350 km/h), Project 1 Mercedes combines unparalleled racetrack performance with the everyday usability of Formula 1 hybrid technology, marking a world-first achievement. Mercedes-AMG is the driving force behind Project ONE, 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, the Project 1 Mercedes offers a glimpse into the future of performance-hybrid drive strategies for Mercedes-Benz’s sports car division.
The Genesis of a Dream: From Motorsport to Road
The aspiration to translate motorsport technology into road-going vehicles has been a long-held dream for engineers since the dawn of racing. Mercedes-AMG is now realizing this ambition at an unprecedented level with the Project 1 Mercedes. Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, emphasizes this synergy: “Motorsport is integral to our innovation. The intense competition environment drives us to develop technologies that ultimately benefit our production vehicles. We are leveraging our triumphs from three constructors’ and drivers’ world championships 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 unique nature of this vehicle: “The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is essentially a Formula 1 car cleared for road use. Its highly efficient hybrid system, derived directly from motorsport, coupled with an electrically driven front axle, creates an enthralling 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 aesthetics.”
The Project 1 concept car serves as a clear indication of the production model’s anticipated features. Tobias Moers, Head of Management at Mercedes-AMG GmbH, describes the project’s ambition: “This hypercar is our most ambitious undertaking to date. It represents a significant milestone in Mercedes-AMG’s strategic evolution into a leading performance and sports car brand. Project ONE redefines technological boundaries and sets a new benchmark with its fusion of efficiency and performance. It also previews how AMG will shape driving performance in the years to come.”
Powertrain Innovations: A Symphony of Turbocharging and Electrification
The heart of the Project 1 Mercedes is its high-performance plug-in hybrid drive system, a direct descendant of Formula 1 technology. Developed in collaboration with Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains, it comprises a sophisticated and interconnected system featuring a hybrid, turbocharged internal combustion engine and four electric motors. One electric motor is integrated within the turbocharger, another is directly mounted on the combustion engine and linked to the crankcase, and the remaining two power the front wheels.
The Combustion Engine: Formula 1 Bred Performance
The 1.6-liter V6 hybrid gasoline engine, incorporating direct injection and electrically assisted single turbocharging, is virtually identical to the engine used in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 race car. It features spur gear-driven overhead camshafts and pneumatic valve springs, replacing traditional mechanical springs to enable remarkably high engine speeds. Positioned mid-engine, ahead of the rear axle, it can achieve engine speeds of up to 11,000 rpm, an unparalleled figure for a road-legal vehicle. To ensure durability and compatibility with commercially available “Super Plus” gasoline, the maximum engine speed is deliberately set below the F1 engine’s limit. The front axle electric motors are equally impressive in their rotational speed, reaching up to 50,000 rpm, significantly higher than the current standard of 20,000 rpm.
Electric Turbocharging: Eliminating Turbo Lag
A high-tech turbocharger further enhances the high-revving engine. 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, known in Formula 1 terminology as MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit Heat), which electrically drives the compressor turbine at speeds up to 100,000 rpm, depending on operational needs. This is particularly effective during initial acceleration and load variations.
Alt text: Detailed view of Mercedes-AMG Project ONE engine components, highlighting the complex hybrid powertrain.
Instantaneous Response: Outperforming Naturally Aspirated V8s
The electric turbocharger’s primary advantage is the complete elimination of turbo lag, the delayed response typically associated with large turbochargers. Throttle response is significantly improved, surpassing even that of a naturally aspirated V8 engine. Furthermore, the electric turbocharger leverages surplus energy from the exhaust system to generate electricity. This energy is either stored in the high-voltage lithium-ion battery through recuperation or used to provide additional drive power via another electric motor. This supplementary motor, producing 120 kW (MGU-K = Motor Generator Unit Kinetic), is directly linked to the engine’s crankshaft via a spur gear, another technology ensuring peak efficiency and performance derived from Formula 1.
Electrified Front Axle: Advanced All-Wheel Drive
The Project 1 Mercedes features two additional 120 kW electric motors located at the front axle, each connected to a front wheel via a reduction gear. This fully electric front axle enables independent acceleration and braking of each front wheel, allowing for selective torque distribution (torque vectoring). This system significantly enhances vehicle dynamics. Under typical driving conditions, it’s estimated that up to 80 percent of braking energy can be recuperated by the axle motors, stored in the battery, and utilized to extend the electric driving range. Each electric motor is controlled by its own power electronics unit, positioned close to the motors in the vehicle’s floor assembly.
Unprecedented Thermal Efficiency
The thermal efficiency of the combustion engine, when combined with the electric turbocharger (MGU-H) and the crankshaft-mounted electric motor (MGU-K), exceeds 40 percent. This represents an unprecedented level of efficiency for series production vehicles, underscoring the drive system’s dominance in energy utilization. The Project 1 Mercedes extracts significantly more drive energy per liter of fuel compared to conventional cars, making it both economical and exceptionally powerful. For context, typical thermodynamic efficiency in standard production engines ranges from 33 to 38 percent.
Technical Specifications: Project 1 Mercedes
| Feature | Mercedes-AMG Project ONE Show Car |
|---|---|
| Rear-Wheel Drive | 1.6-liter V6 with direct injection, four valves per cylinder, four overhead camshafts, electrically boosted single turbocharger, crankshaft-linked electric 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 with hybrid rear axle, electric front axle, and torque vectoring |
| Transmission | Automated AMG SPEEDSHIFT 8-speed manual transmission |
| Acceleration 0-200 km/h | < 6 seconds |
| Top Speed | > 350 km/h |
Battery and Electrical System: Formula 1 Innovation
The battery technology in the Project 1 Mercedes mirrors that used in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 race car, including cell type, arrangement, and cooling system. However, the AMG Project ONE incorporates a higher quantity of battery cells to enhance 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, minimizing space usage.
An additional innovation is the 800-volt operating voltage of the high-voltage EQ Power+ drive system, doubling the standard 400 volts. This higher voltage reduces cable diameters, saving both space and weight.
Intelligent Operating Strategies: Optimizing Performance and Efficiency
The high-performance EQ Power+ plug-in hybrid drive system offers a range of intelligent operating strategies tailored to various driving scenarios. 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, it ensures the driver always receives the best balance of performance and efficiency, leveraging Mercedes-AMG’s extensive Formula 1 expertise, experience from the SLS AMG Electric Drive, and Daimler AG’s broader research and development capabilities.
For instance, the vehicle can start in pure electric mode, initially using only the front axle electric motors, with the crankshaft motor providing support for quick acceleration. As the driver demands more power, the V6 engine engages. The Race Start function enables remarkable acceleration, propelling the car from 0 to 124 mph (200 km/h) in under six seconds.
During coasting, the system reverts to electric drive via the front axle. Under normal braking conditions, up to 80 percent of the energy is recuperated and fed back into the battery.
Transmission and Chassis: Engineered for Hypercar Dynamics
Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a newly developed 8-speed manual transmission, designed specifically for the Project 1 Mercedes. This hydraulically actuated transmission can operate in automated mode or be manually controlled via shift paddles.
The exceptional driving dynamics of the Project 1 Mercedes are rooted in its lightweight, high-strength carbon-fiber monocoque body, another technology directly derived from Formula 1. The engine and transmission are integral structural components, contributing to load-bearing and fully supporting the rear suspension.
Advanced Suspension System
The suspension system is equally advanced, featuring multi-link designs at both front and rear. The adjustable coil-over suspension incorporates push-rod spring struts installed transversely to the direction of travel. This innovative spring/damper unit arrangement replaces conventional tubular cross members, effectively minimizing body roll during rapid directional changes without compromising ride 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 use (ESP® OFF).
Wheels, Brakes, and Aerodynamics: Functional Design
The Project 1 Mercedes features exclusive 10-spoke forged aluminum wheels with center locks and radial carbon-fiber semi-covers designed for aerodynamic efficiency. These covers improve airflow around the wheels, enhancing the car’s aerodynamics and reducing drag. Ventilation slots in each spoke section ensure optimal brake heat dissipation, demonstrating AMG’s meticulous attention to detail for maximizing hypercar efficiency.
Alt text: Close-up of Mercedes-AMG Project ONE wheel showcasing innovative carbon-fiber semi-cover and brake ventilation slots.
The car is equipped with size 10.0 J x 19 front wheels with 285/35 ZR 19 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and 12.0 J x 20 rear wheels with 335/30 ZR 20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, specifically developed for this hypercar. A weight-optimized ceramic high-performance compound braking system further enhances driving dynamics and agility by reducing unsprung mass, while also offering improved service life, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability. The “AMG Carbon Ceramic” lettering and custom-painted brake calipers visually distinguish this system.
Exterior and Interior Design: Form Follows Function
The Project 1 Mercedes’s design is clearly inspired by top-tier motorsport, embodying AMG’s principle that captivating design is inherently linked to function. Every element serves a purpose, resulting in a mid-engine layout with muscular proportions, a forward-positioned cockpit, prominent wheel arches, a tapered waistline, and an extended rear.
Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG, describes the design philosophy: “The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is our most extreme and desirable design yet. It merges our Sensual Purity design philosophy with the raw performance of our Formula 1 cars, perfectly embodying Performance Luxury. Its radical design sets a new milestone – it’s devoid of superfluous lines, and the interior is stripped down to the essentials.”
Exterior Highlights
The front fascia is dominated by a large air dam with inlets spanning the vehicle’s width, a central trapezoidal section with a white AMG logo, and a Mercedes star above. The signature AMG A-wing in silver flows into the front fenders. Large air inlets, framed by U-shaped flaps and subdivided by horizontal fins, flank the fascia. Flat LED headlamps seamlessly integrate into the body. Black air outlets in the hood channel hot airflow around the driver compartment, optimizing fresh air intake for the engine. An automatically extending front splitter and active ventilation louvers in the front wheel arches enhance front axle downforce, ensuring balanced aerodynamics.
The greenhouse features a distinctive spherical architecture with a unique window pattern, emphasizing technical elements contrasted against clean lines. A Formula 1-derived roof-mounted air intake feeds the engine, transitioning into a vertical shark fin for high-speed cornering stability. The rear window integrates into the intake/roof-fin unit, offering a view of the powertrain. NACA air inlets optimize airflow for engine and transmission oil coolers.
The side profile showcases sensuous surfaces with functional carbon-fiber elements to manage airflow. Petronas green accents echo the Formula 1 car’s livery. Doors open both forward and upward, with fuel and charge ports located at the rear.
The rear end features a sharp spoiler lip, a two-section diffuser bisected by the central exhaust, and a two-stage extendable rear aerofoil, all contributing to aerodynamic efficiency. The exhaust design directly mirrors Formula 1 cars. Rear lights incorporate rhomboid elements, echoing the AMG brand logo and headlamp design.
Interior Minimalism: Formula 1 Focus
The interior design prioritizes racetrack functionality, evident in its radical and minimalist approach. Formula 1 technology is palpably present in every detail. The monocoque interior emphasizes functional components with a minimalist aesthetic.
The ergonomic interior accommodates two occupants in bucket seats integrated into the monocoque, featuring adjustable backrests. Adjustable pedals and steering wheel allow for customized driving positions. A central tunnel divides the cockpit, seamlessly merging with the seat structure.
The slim, wing-like dashboard appears lightweight and floating, serving as a structural component to enhance monocoque rigidity. Two high-resolution 10-inch displays are mounted on weight-optimized metal components. A double-nozzle ventilation unit is suspended beneath the center screen, forming a cohesive lightweight unit.
Alt text: Interior view of Mercedes-AMG Project ONE, showcasing the minimalist Formula 1 inspired design and dual digital displays.
The Formula 1-style steering wheel features flattened sections, an integrated airbag, and motorsport-derived controllers for driving modes and suspension settings, along with an LED shift display. Door panels are crafted from functional carbon-fiber, integrating technical elements and deeply recessed controls.
Practicality is considered with stowage compartments behind the seats, standard air conditioning, power windows, and the COMAND infotainment system. Key driving information is projected in the driver’s line of sight. A rear-view screen replaces the traditional mirror, enhancing rear visibility.
Color and material choices are inspired by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 car, with sculpted racing seats in black microfiber, magma grey nappa leather accents, and sporty textile mesh inlays. Yellow contrast stitching adds a final sporty touch.
Project ONE: Shaping the Future of Driving Performance
The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is more than just a hypercar; it’s a technological flagship, directly transferring Formula 1 hybrid technology to the road. It combines top-tier racetrack performance with everyday usability and serves as a vital research platform for performance-oriented plug-in hybrid technology, advanced suspension designs, and sophisticated onboard electronics. These innovations will ultimately benefit future series production AMG vehicles, with the Project ONE team dedicated to bringing this ambitious vision to fruition.
