We said earlier that Mercedes-AMG is developing a hypercar strapped with an F1 engine. The report emerged from the German outfit confirming during the Belgian GP last year that the hypercar was in its final design stage and the development processes were on full swing. It got us all hooked up since then and finally the real deal is here!
Here is the timeline of the mighty Project One: It is a celebration of AMG’s 50th anniversary and has been the eye candy at the ongoing Frankfurt Motor Show. The show-stealer this year has a full digital instrument console, large central infotainment system and F1-inspired steering wheel with functional buttons.
Also Read: Near-Production Aston Martin Valkyrie Hypercar Unveiled
Formula One endured a radical powertrain shakeup in 2014 as revolutionary 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged motors entered the rulebooks after nearly three decades of absence. The hypercar, in question, is powered by the reworked turbo engine currently found under the engine cover of Mercedes W08 F1 racer driven by three-time champ Lewis Hamilton and the Finn Valtteri Bottas.
Mercedes AMG HPP (High Performance Powertrains) facility is located in Brixworth, Northamptonshire where the road-going hypercar’s mechanical development has been made taking advantage of the F1 V6 engine’s expertise for the factory team as well as customer outfits. It is a direct rival for the AM-RB 001 hypercar or Valkyrie developed by Aston Martin in conjunction with Red Bull Racing F1 team.
Therefore, calibrating it to road use will have proved to be a strenuous task. The F1 engines are compactly arranged with cooling system, gearbox and mechanical parts fitted to gain maximum efficiency and of course reliability as no more than five engines can be used by a driver during a season. But seeing the specs on paper, we think Mercedes-AMG has absolutely nailed the outcome.
Each front motor and the one mounted directly on the engine develop 160 hp while the turbo mounted unit makes 120 hp. With total system output of over 1000 hp, the Project One is claimed to exceed 217 mph (350 kmph) and can do 0-200 kmph in less than six seconds. You read it right, it makes the Bugatti Chiron nothing but slow.
Under normal driving conditions, the system recuperates up to 80 percent of the energy and fed them back to the battery. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a specifically developed all-new eight-speed manual transmission activated hydraulically and offers both auto and manual modes (with paddle shifters).
The Project One does remind me of another icon in terms of looks, the legendary McLaren F1 and when it came out it was as radical as a performance car could get. The Project One could replicate its success and set the benchmark but there are other brands who can through a hefty punch like the Aston Martin Valkyrie and the spiritual successor of F1 itself in the near future.
Only 275 examples of the Project One will be made in left-hand drive configuration and all of them are sold out with quoted price of $2.7 million (Rs. 17.3 crore). The deliveries will only commence after the 18 months of development time completes.
Also Read: McLaren F1 to be Resurrected in 2018 as a GT Car
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