Here's your first look at the Mercedes-AMG hypercar's powertrain
If you've wanted a Formula 1 car for the road, this is about as close as you're going to get.
Update, August 17: In light of Mercedes-Benz's official public unveiling of the Project One hypercar powertrain, we've bumped up our first look at this tech from back in May.
Mercedes-AMG has already given out a few details of its upcoming hypercar, dubbed Project One. Now, we can finally take a look at how it all comes together.
The performance sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz released a new teaser for Project One today, showcasing the ridiculous Formula 1-derived powertrain. Shortly thereafter, the automaker was nice enough to give us some time with it in person.
We already know it will put out more than 1,000 horsepower, thanks to a plug-in hybrid system that mates a 1.6-liter gas V6 to four electric motors -- two driving the front axle and two integrated into the powertrain out back. Three of the motors (the two front axle motors and the MGU-K connected to the crank) have an output of about 161 horsepower.
All that's left to unveil at this point is the body.
The engine, mounted midship, sports a massive air intake up top, which will integrate into the body with a bit more elegance than a Formula 1 car. Its lithium-ion battery sits low and flat just behind the front axle. Stuck between the engine and the battery is a litany of electronic components, the same components you'd find tucked into a 2015-ish Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 car. Also like Mercedes-AMG's Formula 1 car, the turbocharger is split in two with each half residing on either side of the engine block, connected by a shaft that runs through the engine's V.
It's complicated, it's powerful and it's unlike any other road car in existence. If you've been yearning for a Formula 1 car for the road, here's the best way to make that happen -- if you can get your hands on one, which won't exactly be easy.
