The Mercedes-AMG One is an upcoming limited-production plug-in hybrid sports car manufactured by Mercedes-AMG, featuring Formula One-derived technology. It was unveiled at the 2017 International Motor Show Germany by Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, who worked on the development of the car, and Head of Mercedes-Benz Dieter Zetsche. The production of the car is planned to be 275 units at a price of US$2.72 million per unit, all of which have been already sold. Mercedes-AMG received orders for four times the production amount, but have stated that production will not be increased from the planned 275 units, in order to maintain the exclusivity of the car. Currently, the car is at the concept state, since it has not reached homologation regulations yet. The official name of the car was changed from "Project One" to simply "One", dropping the "Project" name.
Development
The cars will be evaluated on their performance, durability, and ability in Mercedes-Benz's proving grounds and on racing circuits. The Head of Mercedes-AMG, Tobias Moers also states that when "the time is right", Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team driver and six-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who has worked on the development of the car, will test the prototypes.
The Mercedes-AMG ONE will utilise a modified 1.6-litre turbocharged 90-degree V6 engine from the Mercedes-AMG F1 W07F1 car, as confirmed by Mercedes-AMG board member Ola Källenius. Modifications will be done to the engine due to the engine's illegality in RPM idle and redline. The head of Mercedes-AMG, Tobias Moers, states that the engine will be at 1,280 rpm when idle, and at 11,000 rpm when at its redline limit. However, the engine will only last for and the owners will have to return their cars for engine refurbishment. The ICE produces, with torque figures still unknown.
Electric motors
The ICE will work in conjunction with four electric motors: a Motor Generator Unit-Kinetic coupled to the crankshaft, a Motor Generator Unit-Heat coupled to the turbocharger, and two electric motors at the front axle. The MGU-K and MGU-H are Formula One-style motors responsible for recovering energy and improving efficiency during operation of the car. More specifically, the MGU-K serves to generate electricity during braking, while the MGU-H serves to eliminate turbocharger lag and improve throttle response by keeping the turbine spinning at high speeds. The final two electric motors drive the front wheels to allow for an all-wheel drive drivetrain, and the sum of these four electric motors will contribute effective power to the total power output figure of the Project One.
Transmission
The transmission will be a single-clutch automated manual variant, and delivers the bulk of the engine power to the rear wheels. The use of a single-clutch over a dual-clutch transmission was due to AMG's engineers wanting to keep the car light and due to concerns over the dual-clutch's ability to handle the high-revving V6 ICE.
Wheels
The Project One has wheels made of aluminium alloy and carbon fibre with diameters of 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear with centre-lock wheel nuts. The tyres are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s with codes of 285/35 ZR 19 for the front and 335/30 ZR 20 for the rear. The brakes are ventilated carbon-ceramic discs.
Interior features
The interior is mostly minimalist and driver-focused, continuing the Formula One theme of the Project One. This includes a Formula One-style steering wheel and pedals, and a driver-oriented central infotainment screen. There are some traditional luxury features in the interior, notably napa leather and hand stitching on the bucket seats.
Exterior features
The exterior of the car is designed primarily for aerodynamics, although it still maintains a profile reminiscent to a road legal car. The notable aerodynamic features include the large front air inlets, the roof-mounted air intake and the large aerodynamic fin extending down the back half of the car.
Chassis
The body will be made entirely of carbon fibre to reduce weight, resulting in a final estimated kerb weight of around.
