The extreme Mercedes-AMG One was already presented in 2017. But since then it has been eerily quiet around the Formula 1-like super sports car. Has Mercedes-AMG scrapped the expensive prestige project? No, because the test prototypes are still on the road. Moreover, there is now finally clarity about the market introduction, which – if all goes well – should take place in mid-2022.
Our photographer caught this Mercedes-AMG One at the German Nürburgring. The outlandish hyper sports car was supposed to hit the market in 2020, but was postponed due to technical problems and the corona outbreak. Mercedes-AMG has admitted that there are issues with the One’s Formula 1-like powertrain. The car combines a 1.6-liter turbo V6 with four electric motors for a combined output of just over 1000 hp. The wonderful thing about the petrol engine is that it runs at a maximum of 11,000 rpm (!). You only see that with Formula racing cars and motorcycles.
Idle speed and noise is way too high
According to Mercedes-AMG, there were a number of problems with the V6, including the idle speed. In race trim it is around 5000 rpm, but to meet emission requirements it had to go to 1200 rpm. Earlier, Mercedes-AMG admitted that it is already difficult to get the six-cylinder at 3800 rpm. Another challenge is the sound of the engine, which would be far too loud for a public road.
Nico Rosberg bought a Mercedes-AMG One
Mercedes-AMG will build 275 copies of the One. Reportedly, they have all already been sold, for a price well above 2 million euros, excluding taxes. The One’s powertrain is based on that of the Mercedes-AMG F1 W07 Hybrid, the Formula 1 car with which Nico Rosberg won his first and only championship title in 2016 (the young German has already ordered an AMG One). It is being built by the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 team in Brixworth, England.
Aston Martin Valkyrie
When the Mercedes-AMG One finally ‘comes on the market’, it will clash with the Aston Martin Valkyrie. It combines a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 with an electric motor for a total power of 1160 hp and 900 Nm of torque. Like the petrol engine of the One, the V12 in the Valkyrie reaches a maximum speed of 11,000 rpm. The Aston Martin will be built in an edition of 150 copies, with 25 non-street-legal AMR versions on top.
