Mercedes-AMG has confirmed what we already knew: that it will unveil its hottest ever production model at the Frankfurt motor show on Tuesday (September 12).
Making the announcement newsworthy though is this latest teaser shot, which reveals more of the Project ONE hypercar’s rear-end, including two massive roof-mounted venturi-style air inlets to feed the mid-mounted, Formula 1-based hybrid powertrain.
It’s clear that these – in addition to a huge forward-facing air-scoop instead of traditional side air intakes as seen on other mid-engined cars – are required to cool the 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 borrowed from the championship-dominating Petronas-AMG F1 cars.
Combined with four Electric Motors, the V6 powertrain will produce around 750kW (1000hp) at an astonishing 11,000rpm — enough for it to reach a top speed of more than 350km/h, but requiring a full rebuild every 50,000km, says AMG.
Key to its speed are not only the unprecedented power output for a Mercedes road car, but a wind tunnel-developed body featuring a plethora of active aero aids, including – as you can see from our lightened version of the rear-end shot – an aggressive lift-reducing rear diffuser and what’s expected to be a huge deployable rear wing.
“The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is loaded for transport to the International Automobil Ausstellung (IAA) in Frankfurt,” said the Affalterbach car-maker overnight.
“The presentation of the show car at the Mercedes-Benz Media Night on the eve of the IAA is the highlight of AMG’s 50-year anniversary. The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is the most ambitious project the performance and sports car brand has ever planned. The hybrid engine from Formula 1 and the electrified front axle provide a fascinating combination of performance and efficiency.”
Other technical features revealed in May about the left-hand drive two-seat coupe – just 275 of which will be produced globally by 2019, including eight spoken-for examples in Australia, priced from at least $3.5 million – include the ability to drive on pure-electric power for up to 25km.
Based around a carbon-fibre chassis tub, the AMG hypercar employs a pair of 120kW electric motors to power the front wheels, a 100kW electric motor attached directly to the engine’s crankshaft and another small 80kW electric motor to spin up the single large turbocharger, plus a computer controlled clutch on a traditional manual gearbox.
There’s also an advanced torque vectoring system for both front and rear axles, variable ride height and multiple drive modes including a setting for the powertrain, suspension, transmission and aerodynamics so aggressive it’s claimed to mimic a GP qualifying set-up.
Expect more details – including just how quick the as-yet-unnamed production version of the Project ONE will be – on Tuesday.
Sammy