Hyping Up The Public With Its Presence, The Mercedes-AMG One Hypercar

Entering the final stages of testing, a road legal prototype of the Mercedes-AMG One hypercar has been caught wreaking havoc out in public for the first time.

Bringing to an assumption that with the recent sighting of the hypercar out and about, its production debut may just be looming around the corner.

Mercedes has also revealed that the One will join Mercedes-AMG's 2021 Formula 1 racer and will be adopting the new 'E Performance' signature.

Initially, the development of the Mercedes-AMG One hypercar was delayed because of the intricacies encountered in engineering the F1-derived hybrid powertrain for the streets. 

To understand that, the all-wheel drive with torque vectoring hypercar, utilises a 1.6-litre single-turbo V6 hybrid engine modified from Mercedes-AMG’s 2017 championship-winning, Formula 1 car.

Thereby, the engineering struggles faced were to adapt the complex powertrain with WLTP emissions standards using a petrol particulate filter without compromising the performance.

Other hiccups also occurred with the F1-based engine’s idle speed, which is around 5,000 rpm in race specifications. Whereas the proper idle speed targeted was to be around 1,200 rpm.

Also, Mercedes claims  the engine is expected to perform perfectly in terms of everyday performance and being able to operate solely in all-electric mode for up to about 16 miles (25 km). 

Speaking about electric mode, pairing with the V6 are also four electric motors. Two driving the front wheels, another 120 kW motor attached to the V6 engine’s crank, and a fourth one with an 80 kW output has been fitted within the turbocharger itself.

As for the latter, it has been designed to overcome the turbo delay and is dubbed the Motor Generator Unit – Heat (MGU-H) in F1 terminology, which is able to rev as high as 100,000 rpm.

The monstrous powertrain it is harbouring has been paired to a hydraulically actuated 8-speed automated manual paddle shift transmission, which was crafted by motorsport specialists, Xtrac.

Touching on power, the One is packing some serious heat. Adding the motors’ combined efforts to the V6’s 603 bhp, it accumulates to 1,086 bhp and with an extra 48 bhp in the overboost mode, it all amounts up to an ear-splitting 1,134 bhp altogether.

However, confirmation is still unknown whether the car will meet Mercedes’s performance claims of a 218 mph (350 km/h) top speed and an acceleration of 0 - 124 mph (0 - 199 km/h) in under six seconds.

Designing wise, the Mercedes-AMG One kept close to the design of its 2017 concept car. As it has only gotten some minor alterations to the aerodynamic functions.

Albeit, with track testing on its way, the silhouette may see some revisions with it focusing on recalibrating the active aero components such as the louvres, air outlets in the front wings and rear spoiler.

Structure wise, it was built with a steel platform that supports the carbon fibre monocoque chassis along with a transverse pushrod-operated suspension. Its rear suspension has been bolted straight to the transmission, F1-style, while the front suspension has been attached to a small subframe.

Completing its look, the One has been fitted with a set of 10-spoke magnesium rims with drag-reducing ‘aero blades’, wrapped with 285/35 R19 at the front and 335/30 R20 at the rear, Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres that was specifically designed for the car.

Wrapping it up, the Mercedes-AMG One hypercar will only have 275 units produced and each one has been sold for a price of €2.27 million (RM 11,213,359).

Though Mercedes has not given out the full scoop on the One yet but future owners have been assured that their beasts will be delivered throughout 2021.