Mercedes $5 million hypercar has been revealed … and it surely delivers on every promise

BEHIND schedule and it’s too late to buy one: Mercedes-AMG One, a plug-in hybrid hypercar using more than a little Formula One technology, has finally been revealed in production form.

Only 275 examples are set to be built, at an expected price of close to $5 million, and all are allocated.

AMG's reference to F1 is a lot more than just marketing noise; the One uses a turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 petrol engine, just as current Formula One cars do: Specifically, the road car’s mill is a development of the engine used in the Mercedes F1 car in 2016.

It's mounted in the middle of the chassis and, in conjunction with the bespoke gearbox (a special seven-speed 'automated manual'), is actually a stressed member of the structure.

Apparently, the engine itself produces up to 428kW at 9000rpm (2000rpom short of the redline, which is reduced from the F1 unit’s 15000rpm), which is impressive for a 1.6, but is nothing compared to the One's maximum quoted output of 792kW. That's made possible due to the hybrid system.

The One has four electric drive motors, two to turn the front wheels, allowing for fully-electric driving, plus torque vectoring across the front axle and all-wheel drive when the engine is running at the same time. The motors also act as generators when the car is decelerating, recovering energy to the on-board battery system. This is a directly-cooled lithium-ion pack of 8.4kWh, which Mercedes says is good for an electric range of 18.1 kilometres. It can be charged up externally.

The other two electric motors derive straight from F1. The first is called the MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit Heat) and it sits on the shaft of the turbocharger between the compressor and exhaust-driven turbine. This isn't a normal-looking turbocharger, as the turbine and compressor wheels are much further apart than usual. Anyway, the MGU-H is an electric motor-generator that can both turn this shaft and be turned by it.

So, even at low engine rpm, with little exhaust gas flow to turn the turbine, the MGU-H can turn the compressor and provide boost. Mercedes-AMG claims that this enables faster response to accelerator inputs than experienced in a naturally aspirated V8 engine. Conversely, when there is excess boost or exhaust flow, the MGU-H can actively slow down the shaft and hence acts as an electricity generator to charge the battery or drive the last of the four motors.

The last is called the MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit Kinetic) and it is integrated with the petrol engine so it can add power (more than 120kW) directly to the crankshaft via a spur gear arrangement.

Remarkable? That’s not all. AMG has managed to keep the kerb weight of the One down to under 1700kg. Its official performance stats include 0-100kmh in 2.9 seconds, 0-200kmh in 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 352kmh.

The cars also uses a carbon-fibre monocoque structure to reduce weight and enhance stiffness. The aluminium suspension features push-rod spring struts and adaptive damping with three disparate settings (Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus). It has anti-lock brakes, along with three-stage stability control and nine-stage traction control.

Also onboard are active aerodynamics, not allowed in F1. The One has three different aerodynamic setups designed for road use, track use and attaining higher speeds on track. In its most aggressive setting, the car develops downforce from just 50kmh. In 'Track', there's up to five times as much downforce produced than when in the 'Highway' setup.

An active front splitter, a massive deployable rear wing and the louvres that are visible over the top of each of the front wheels, and the distinctive fin that runs down the backbone of the car are all to enhance the air flow. Working in conjunction with all that, the ride height can be hydraulically dropped 37mm at the front and 30mm at the rear.

Conversely, it also has a Drag Reduction System that reduces downforce by about 20 percent and reduces drag by closing the louvres over the front wheels and retracting the rear wing, in a bid to allow the car to accelerate to higher speeds quicker. It's deactivated automatically when the driver hits the carbon ceramic brakes or takes a corner.

The front wheels are 19-inch rims, the rear 20s, while there are bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R M01 tyres fitted.

The two-seat cockpit is accessed via doors that open diagonally forwards and upwards. The seats are moulded into the structure of the car, though the backrest can be adjusted to two different angles, the tiny steering wheel moves electrically and the pedal box, high-set to give the driver that distinctive lying-down seating position found in single seaters.

It achieves a few switches inspired by motorsport but doesn’t seem as bewildering as a F1 car. Despite the minimal design, the AMG One is well-equipped, featuring climate control, electric windows, an infotainment system and even a rear-view camera instead of a central mirror. The upholstery is magma grey nappa leather and black Dinamica microfibre.

As a final flourish, the exterior airbrush finish, featuring hundreds of little three-pointed stars, was designed by the artist responsible for the finish on the current Mercedes Formula One cars.