Ever wondered what will happen if you put a modern Formula 1 engine into a road-legal car? Well, wonder no more as Mercedes-AMG is about to give you the chance to live your Lewis Hamilton dreams on EDSA. Though currently a show car, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is inching its way to production including its 1,000-horsepower V6 engine, 0-200 km/h time of under 6 seconds, and a 350 km/h top speed.

Built to celebrate AMG’s 50th anniversary, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE directly carries technologies and know-how straight from the company’s successful Formula One cars.



At the heart is a mid-mounted 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 engine. It features technologies such as direct injection and electrically-assisted single turbocharging. The camshafts are driven by spur gears while the mechanical valve springs have been replaced by pneumatic valve springs. The very high-revving engine (redline is 11,000 rpm) is additionally boosted by a high-tech turbocharger. The exhaust gas and compressor turbines are separated from one another and located at an optimum position to the exhaust side and to the intake side of the V6 engine, and connected to one another by a shaft.

Connected to the petrol engine are four electric motors with one integrated into the turbocharger, another installed directly on the combustion engine with a link to the crankcase, and two motors driving the front wheels. It gives the Project ONE all-wheel drive thanks to the electrically-driven front axle while also capable of capturing up to 80 percent of the braking energy. The hybrid system then packs a lithium-ion battery arranged the same way as Mercedes’ F1 cars. However, it has been enlarged to make it more practical for road use. All in all, the Project ONE can move in pure electric mode for 25 kilometers.



Mated to the Project ONE’s Formula One is an automated manual transmission specially made for this car. Featuring 8 forward gears, it’s activated hydraulically and can be operated in both automated mode or manually using paddle shifters.

The Project ONE uses pushrod multi-link suspension with adjustable coil-overs. And apart from all-wheel drive, it also benefits from all sorts of safety technology such as anti-lock brakes and stability control. It runs on mixed ratio tires with the front having 285/35 ZR 19 and the rear having 335/30 ZR 20 tires. The wheels are forged aluminum with a radial carbon fiber semi-cover for aerodynamics.



Styling is all racing inspired down to the large NACA air inlets and an F1-style roof fin. It does benefit from some Petronas green though and this is seen on the side. Inside, it’s all business. There’s still seating for 2, but it’s extremely minimalist. It uses two high-resolution free-standing displays and a Formula One-style steering wheel. Though Mercedes-AMG has kept the weight as long as possible, it also comes with power windows and air conditioning as standard.