Engine and Powertrain Specifications
The Mercedes AMG Project 1 uses a 1.6 liter turbocharged V6 engine derived from the Formula One PU106C Hybrid power unit. The internal combustion engine alone produces over 850 horsepower, and the total system output, including the electric motor, exceeds 986 horsepower. The car uses a 7 speed dual clutch transmission adapted for high speed track and road use. Learn more about the powertrain architecture on the official Mercedes AMG page Mercedes AMG Project One official details.
The hybrid system recovers energy under braking and from the turbocharger, similar to the MGU K and MGU H layout used in current Formula 1 cars. This configuration allows the Project 1 to deliver instant electric torque while maintaining a high specific output of over 500 horsepower per liter of displacement. The combined system is designed to meet both road homologation requirements and the durability standards of motorsport derived components.
Performance and Chassis Data
The Project 1 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in less than 2.9 seconds and has a top speed electronically limited to over 217 mph. The dry weight of the car is approximately 2,756 pounds, giving it a power to weight ratio of roughly 630 horsepower per ton. The chassis uses a carbon fiber monocoque and body panels, with active aerodynamics including a deployable rear wing and underbody diffuser for high downforce.
Mercedes AMG limited production to 275 units, with each car priced at around 2.7 million euros before taxes and options. The car features active ride height, rear wheel steering, and a fully digital cockpit with telemetry displays adapted from the road car environment. The suspension layout uses double wishbone geometry at both axles, with pushrod actuated dampers for precise weight transfer control during aggressive driving.
Market Position and Technical Context
The Project 1 competes with other hybrid hypercars such as the Porsche 918 Spyder and Ferrari LaFerrari in terms of combined system output and track focused engineering. Its use of a Formula One derived powertrain places it in a unique category of road legal cars with direct motorsport technology transfer. The car represents a return to the hypercar segment for Mercedes AMG after the SLS AMG Black Series era.
For broader context on the financial and engineering challenges of such low volume, high performance vehicles, see the analysis on hypercar production economics by Forbes Forbes Mercedes AMG Project One analysis. The technical specifications and compliance data are also detailed in the official press kit and homologation documents shared by Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport, which can be explored on the team's official site Mercedes AMG F1 official site.