Mercedes-AMG One: An F1-Engined Hypercar

[JC_Dude]

Count me into one of those that failed to find any part of the car vaguely resembling current Mercedes cars.

The front bumper looks a lot like front bumpers on any other AMG car. Of course there's no grill like on other cars ecause those are front-engined. This is a completely different concept, of course it doesn't look like the rest of the range apart from some details and I'm not sure why that's a bad thing.

 

[AerodyManiac]

The front bumper looks a lot like front bumpers on any other AMG car. Of course there's no grill like on other cars ecause those are front-engined.

Would you mind if you state an example of another AMG car whose bumper looks like that of the Project One? I'm asking this because quite frankly, I just can't think of any.

This is a completely different concept, of course it doesn't look like the rest of the range apart from some details and I'm not sure why that's a bad thing.

The bad thing isn't about having a different looking car than the rest of the range, but rather how bland and boring it looks. Personally I just don't see any design cues or elements that resemble anything on a Mercedes other than those blue streaks on the side of the car.

 

[JC_Dude]

E63, for example:

Two large intakes extended downwards, connected with each other, with another intake filling the hole between them. Pretty much all AMGs have this setup.

 

[TheCracker]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the shark-fin yet. It seems a pretty redundant and ageing bit of design given that they're banned from F1 from next season.

 

[AerodyManiac]

E63, for example:

Two large intakes extended downwards, connected with each other, with another intake filling the hole between them. Pretty much all AMGs have this setup.

If that were the case, then a new BMW 3 series would look pretty much like the Project One too:

Or, maybe even more outlandish, this Hyundai:

Anyway, my point is, it's simply impossible to identify the Project One as a Mercedes simply using a part that's as negligible and forgettable as the front bumper, and even if you try to, it doesn't look the same as other AMG cars. The first car that came to my mind when seeing the front bumper of the Project One is the Porsche 911 Turbo, in fact.

 

[Aphelion]

Wow... Im honestly surprised that anyone doesn't like the look of this thing. Looks pretty awesome to me.

 

[GTboyz]

Such as? Images would help progress this discussion

Something like that. To me, the headlight is what makes it doesn't look like a Merc.

 

[VXR]

I'm usually so disinterested in these hyper cars, but I really like this.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Something like that. To me, the headlight is what makes it doesn't look like a Merc.

They look like merc amg headlights to me, even using this image all one has to do is realize they're oriented differently on the Project One. The shape is retained for the most part. It's the orientation and stupid massive grill that aren't not seen and that's why people are like "oh no this isn't a Merc at all!!!"

 

[Epic B]

Looks like a mclaren.

And the name is even close to P1, and the Project One even has the doors.

(muffled X-Files theme in the distance)

 

[trustjab]

One thing that people aren't mentioning, this is the concept of the car, the production model won't be available until 2019. So there's lots of time left for the car to be updated and things changed in the looks department.

 

[Dhalism]

And the name is even close to P1, and the Project One even has the doors.

(muffled X-Files theme in the distance)

Isnt that what P in P1 stands for? Giving that McLaren generally adheres to the 'McLaren Project XX' nomenclature

 

[JC_Dude]

Isnt that what P in P1 stands for? Giving that McLaren generally adheres to the 'McLaren Project XX' nomenclature

P1 stands for 'Position 1', as in pole position, at least that's how they explained it initially.

 

[Dhalism]

P1 stands for 'Position 1', as in pole position, at least that's how they explained it initially.

Oh, TIL

 

[FLX1981]

Ugh, how anyone can find that thing attractive I dont know. The proportions are ill advised, it is plump as hell and the detailing is messy at best. Normally, I really like most current Mercs but that thing is hideous.

Edit: Now i remembered what it reminds me of! No offense to the terror that flaps through the night though...

 

[shoemaker]

So, can we expect to see this replace the F1 safety car ? Hamilton keeps complaining the safety car is going too slow !

 

[andrea]

 

[daan]

Have Honda put in a pre-order so they can have a close look at the Mercedes engine?

 

[Epic B]

Isnt that what P in P1 stands for? Giving that McLaren generally adheres to the 'McLaren Project XX' nomenclature

Though the P1 as technically Project 13 or 14 I think. I forget but it was somewhere around there.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

The more I see it, the more I dislike it.

It looks a lot more like something that would be contemporary to the Saleen S7, and not a generation after the 918/LaF/P1. Even then, it has a particularly amateurish, start-up-vaporware look to it. Shades of Gumpert Apollo.

The specs are impressive in some regards, but I really wonder if there will be a tangible real world benefit of taking such a small engine to such a high power output. How useful is an F1 engine on the street? I just don't really get it. I'm much more impressed (pending final numbers) with Mazda's lowly 190hp SPCCI engine mounted in a $18k hatchback than this 1.6 liter monster that costs $2M.

 

[ExoticMachines]

Can someone please put this car in the new GT Sport game for next month. Thank you!!!

 

[GordonS]

Can someone please put this car in the new GT Sport game for next month. Thank you!!!

Not a bad suggestion! It's just that if the Bugatti Chiron would arrive in GTS at the same time.. 💡 Yes, I would choose the Chiron.

 

[BKGlover]

I think it looks better in the video.

Does anyone else have the thought that maybe this is Mercedes looking at LeMans again soon? I know I'm an idiot, but I can't shake the thought.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I think it looks better in the video.

Does anyone else have the thought that maybe this is Mercedes looking at LeMans again soon? I know I'm an idiot, but I can't shake the thought.

With everyone fleeing WEC like the plague due to out of control costs, I really doubt it.

 

[BKGlover]

With everyone fleeing WEC like the plague due to out of control costs, I really doubt it.

I do too, but I don't think it would be a WEC thing, just LeMans.

Is that just a rolling chassis, or is it a fully built and functional car? I'd like to see how fast it is around a track compared to the AMG GT and the F1 car.

 

[Alex.]

As a huge fan of the old CLK GTR I really expected this to come out looking a lot better. I just cannot get on with that front end, it looks like Stan Smith from American Dad.

Also worth mentioning the rear looks fantastic. The fin though, who in their right mind slaps a fin onto a road car? It surely makes next to no difference in performance and goes a long way to ruining the entire bodyline of the car, just as it did with those special edition Zondas and Koenigseggs etc.

 

[Carbon_6]

I do too, but I don't think it would be a WEC thing, just LeMans.

Is that just a rolling chassis, or is it a fully built and functional car? I'd like to see how fast it is around a track compared to the AMG GT and the F1 car.

Although it appeared under its own power during the show, it's still very much a show car. Where it is in terms of development is up for debate, but seeing as the first cars will hit the road sometime in 2019, what we're seeing now perhaps isn't that far from the finished article.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

The more I see it, the more I dislike it.

It looks a lot more like something that would be contemporary to the Saleen S7, and not a generation after the 918/LaF/P1. Even then, it has a particularly amateurish, start-up-vaporware look to it. Shades of Gumpert Apollo.

The specs are impressive in some regards, but I really wonder if there will be a tangible real world benefit of taking such a small engine to such a high power output. How useful is an F1 engine on the street? I just don't really get it. I'm much more impressed (pending final numbers) with Mazda's lowly 190hp SPCCI engine mounted in a $18k hatchback than this 1.6 liter monster that costs $2M.

Can't talk on your take with it being close to "vaporware" even if it's shade of Apollo, that wasn't vaporware. It looks and claims to be a Mercedes AMG hypercar how that gets people worried or turned down about it is the issue of the person viewing it. I see a lot of the same minimalist take on a car of this range that Porsche used with the 918. In reality I don't see all that much difference, between the two in how they went about the exterior of their respective cars.

In regards to the engine...

Considering they made it work for the streets and last longer than the same engine you see on a regular gp weekend, it's quite substantial. Now I've seen you talk about your amazement over what Mazda is doing for some time, and recently with their new trick on the compression ignition. However, Mercedes have had this system since the start of the V6 era and perfected it. The turbo system is unique to only that of this engine, the hybrid system is probably the most advanced you'll see in any road going car of current. And the only better hybrid unit arguably is the one in the W08

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Can't talk on your take with it being close to "vaporware" even if it's shade of Apollo, that wasn't vaporware. It looks and claims to be a Mercedes AMG hypercar how that gets people worried or turned down about it is the issue of the person viewing it. I see a lot of the same minimalist take on a car of this range that Porsche used with the 918. In reality I don't see all that much difference, between the two in how they went about the exterior of their respective cars.

I wouldn't call either one minimalist. Maybe restrained? They both defitiely have less addenda than the P1 or LaFerrari, I see your point there. Regardless, the 918 has, to me, a far more lean, polished and resolved appearance. The AMG looks quite ungainly and even a little slab sided from some angles.

Considering they made it work for the streets and last longer than the same engine you see on a regular gp weekend, it's quite substantial. Now I've seen you talk about your amazement over what Mazda is doing for some time, and recently with their new trick on the compression ignition. However, Mercedes have had this system since the start of the V6 era and perfected it. The turbo system is unique to only that of this engine, the hybrid system is probably the most advanced you'll see in any road going car of current. And the only better hybrid unit arguably is the one in the W08

We'll wait to see when/if/how they translate this "perfected" tech (specifically some form of compression ignition) to normal cars that non-billionaires can buy. This is a genuine question as I don't know; has it been confirmed that the Project 1 has compression ignition? All I've seen is that the engine has been modified to run on pump-gas, and the fuel injection pressure + compression ratio has been reduced...all three of which seem to make compression ignition that much more difficult. Regardless, it seems more likely that Mercedes will go either implement a similar hybrid system on its regular engines or go all electric than implement this F1 technology, but I could be wrong. I've also read from some sources that the engine is only designed to last about 30k miles. I don't find that to be a particularly successful transition from race engine to street engine. And again, the car is going to cost upwards of $2M.

I'm not saying the technology is not impressive. The 47% thermal efficiency is quite extraordinary. I just hope it makes it into, say, the base model C-Class someday.

 

[RACECAR]

Edit: Lmao @LH in that video at the end. Cringy as hell.

Its Lewis Hamilton, how else would it have ended? One only has to recall the ad for the Mercedes AMG GTS to see that.

It's the worst looking car in the video.

Not feeling it to be honest. If ever I make Forbes' top 50 richest people -- I think I'll probably pass. Take that Mercedes.

Not to sound like a massive prick, but I'm sure you hardly made a dent in their finances with that declaration (especially since this car has sold out already before its even been completed)

Also, can I ask why its still a concern about what people a certain car in the million dollar price range attracts anymore? Chances are no one here (except the guy that bought the "Landshark") will ever afford these AND frankly as demonstrated by some very absurd items, the Million Dollar Price bracket is always going to attract big spenders like those said Oil sheiks (because apparently according to the internet, those are the ONLY people with money), Oil Tycoons, snobby business men, a doctor, anyone with the deepest pockets.