- delayed mercedes-amg one hypercar will arrive in 2021 as more and more mercedes-benz models plug in.
- the formula 1–derived one was supposed to arrive in 2019, but excessive noise and emissions slowed things down.
- not the car itself, though. that will still go zero to 124 in under six seconds, mercedes-amg claims.
amg devotees aren't the only drivers who wish the formula 1–based mercedes-amg one hypercar was already here. the delayed halo project was supposed to arrive right around now, but, well, it's not here yet. amg engineers didn't shove it in the back seat, though.
"the project one is the highest priority for us at amg," michael knöller, amg's global head of sales and project management, told car and driver during the los angeles auto show last week. "we have reached the tipping point, and now we are back on track."
being back on track means that amg engineers have made progress on adapting the 1000-hp f1-derived plug-in-hybrid drivetrain for street use, quieting the "very complicated exhaust system," and making sure the engine can pass emissions requirements. amg invited all of the 275 customers who preordered the vehicle to germany to explain what the status was with overcoming these challenges. these forced-to-be-patient buyers were also told the amg one, which mercedes claims will have a top speed of 217 mph and a zero-to-124-mph time of under six seconds, is now due in early 2021.
the amg one is just one of many vehicles amg is working on that has an electrified powertrain. "the gut feeling i have when i walk through our development facility is that electrification is on everybody's mind," knöller said. the mercedes-amg gt 4-door coupe, for example, will be available with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain when it arrives at the end of 2020.
"[customers] will love that car because of the performance values," he said. "the acceleration will be stunning for the customer, because it's really the next level when you drive the v-8 and then you go with the v-8 plug-in version. that's a big step. i'm convinced people will love the car because they get more boost, more power, more torque, and it's a great package."
keeping amg's focus on performance means that amg drivers are often willing to at least dip their toes into the electric world, knöller said.
"we have a very loyal fan base," he said. "they've been driving amg for years, and it's easy to convince them, bring them the cars and have them go for a test drive so they feel the dna of an electrified amg and feel that they're, at a minimum, as good as amg vehicles today, or even better. what stays the same is the pure performance orientation of our powertrains. at the end of the day, when you have the amg badge on the trunk, it's a clear statement."