Mercedes-AMG will probably build the Project One hypercar in the United Kingdom to keep it close to the Formula One team.
The company has already confirmed that the F1 powertrain will be built at the racing team’s base in Brixworth. Speaking with Autocar at the New York Auto Show, AMG boss Tobias Moers said that perfecting the engine and hybrid system for the road is proving difficult.
“That powertrain is really complicated. It’s good, but not good enough yet,” he admitted.
A Nurburgring record attempt is possible
Shortly after the Geneva Motor Show, Moers claimed that the Project One hypercar might be able to beat the outright Nurburgring record currently held by the Porsche 956 of 6 min 11.1 seconds. The fastest production car to lap the famed German circuit is the Porsche 911 GT2 RS with a blistering 6 min 47 sec time.
Mercedes has yet to publicize certain figures for the Project One but the 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid powertrain should deliver between 1000 hp and 1100 hp. Downforce is expected to sit at roughly 675 kg, giving the Project One a significant edge over most road cars to previously lap Green Hell.
Alongside the Project One’s F1-derived engine is a robotized manual eight-speed transmission from Xtrac and sending power to all four wheels.