Mercedes-Benz AMG ONE
The Mercedes-AMG ONE is the most ambitious road car project ever undertaken by Mercedes-Benz: a car that puts a genuine Formula 1 power unit into a road-legal hypercar. First announced in 2017 as 'Project ONE,' the car took five years to develop as engineers grappled with the extraordinary challenge of making an F1 engine work in a street-legal application.
The powertrain is the star of the show. At its core is the Mercedes-AMG M139 1.6-liter V6 turbo engine, derived from the power unit used in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team's championship-winning W07 Hybrid. The engine features the same bore and stroke as the F1 unit and uses a single turbocharger with an electric motor on the turbine shaft (the MGU-H, or Motor Generator Unit -- Heat) to eliminate turbo lag. An MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit -- Kinetic) is attached to the crankshaft, and two additional electric motors drive the front wheels. A high-voltage battery provides energy storage.
The combined system output is 1,063 hp, with the V6 contributing approximately 574 hp and the electric motors adding the remainder. The engine revs to 11,000 rpm -- a figure unheard of in a road car and requiring the use of F1-grade materials and manufacturing tolerances. The entire powertrain weighs significantly less than a conventional V8 setup.
Making an F1 engine work in a road car was the project's greatest challenge. F1 engines are designed for 3-4 race distances before rebuild, while a road car must be reliable for years. Mercedes-AMG engineers had to develop new materials, revised tolerances, and extensive thermal management systems to ensure the engine could withstand road-car duty cycles, including stop-and-go traffic and cold starts.
The chassis is a carbon fiber monocoque developed with Multimatic, the Canadian motorsport engineering firm. The pushrod suspension is directly inspired by F1 technology, using inboard spring/damper units actuated by pushrods and rockers. The active aerodynamics include a two-element rear wing and a front splitter that adjust automatically based on speed and driving mode.
The AMG ONE set a new Nurburgring Nordschleife production car lap record on October 28, 2022, with a time of 6:35.183 -- driven by Maro Engel. This shattered the previous record and demonstrated the car's extraordinary performance on a track that rewards both outright speed and handling precision.
Production was limited to 275 units, all allocated to selected buyers at a price of approximately 2.72 million euros ($2.72 million). Assembly took place at a dedicated facility in Coventry, England, operated by Multimatic. Each car required extensive hand-assembly, with the powertrain installation alone taking several days.
The AMG ONE represents the absolute pinnacle of Mercedes-AMG engineering and one of the most significant automobiles of the 21st century. It is the first true F1-powered road car, a technological achievement that may never be repeated as Formula 1 moves toward even more extreme electrification.
All 275 units were pre-sold and delivered. Any purchase must be on the secondary market. The F1-derived powertrain requires specialized servicing that only AMG can provide. Engine rebuild intervals are dramatically shorter than conventional engines. Running costs will be extraordinary. Verify full service history and that all manufacturer-required maintenance has been performed. The car's complexity means that any mechanical issue is a significant event. Treat this as both a vehicle and an investment, with appropriate insurance and storage.
Limited to 275 units, all pre-sold before production began. Assembly at Multimatic's Coventry facility. Development took 5 years due to the extreme challenge of making an F1 power unit road-legal. The 1.6-liter V6 is derived from the Mercedes W07 Hybrid F1 power unit. Set the Nurburgring production car lap record in October 2022 at 6:35.183.