Introduction
Mercedes-Benz, the German marque long revered for luxury and precision engineering, has never shied away from performance. From roaring V8 sedans to blistering coupes bearing the AMG badge, the company has always had a strong hand in the high-performance segment. Yet despite its impressive portfolio, Mercedes was never quite seen as a “supercar brand”—at least not in the same breath as Ferrari, Lamborghini, or McLaren.
That all changed with the debut of the Mercedes-AMG ONE, a hypercar that took the concept of performance to a new level. With an engine borrowed directly from its Formula 1 team and a plug-in hybrid system designed for maximum thrust, the AMG ONE is more than just a technological marvel—it’s a redefining moment for the brand.
In this article, we explore how Mercedes finally claimed its supercar crown. We’ll cover the brand’s history in performance, dissect the AMG ONE’s revolutionary engineering, compare it to global competitors, and look at what’s next for the future of AMG.
What Makes a Supercar?
Before diving deep into the AMG ONE, it’s important to establish what sets a supercar apart from a sports car or a luxury performance vehicle. The supercar is a rare breed defined by several key attributes:
1. Extreme Performance
A supercar must be lightning-fast. Sub-3-second 0–100 km/h times, top speeds over 320 km/h, and handling that matches or exceeds racing cars are standard expectations.
2. Exotic Engineering
Supercars usually feature out-of-this-world powertrains—think mid-mounted V10s, V12s, or advanced hybrid systems like the ones used in Formula 1.
3. Exclusivity
Limited production numbers ensure a supercar’s rarity and prestige. They’re often hand-built or require a bespoke production process.
4. Dramatic Design
Aggressive lines, aerodynamic profiles, and extensive use of carbon fiber or lightweight composites create designs that stand out from anything else on the road.
5. Sky-High Price Tag
Supercars are not for the masses. They often start above $200,000 and can exceed $3 million for limited editions or bespoke builds.
By these standards, the AMG ONE doesn’t just qualify as a supercar—it aims to be the definitive hypercar.
The Road to Supercar Greatness
Mercedes-Benz has long flirted with the idea of building a supercar. Past attempts like the CLK GTR and SLR McLaren hinted at this ambition, but they never quite achieved the same reverence as the Ferrari Enzo or McLaren F1.
The SLR McLaren Era
The SLR, co-developed with McLaren in the 2000s, featured a 5.4L supercharged V8 producing 617 hp. While fast and luxurious, it was more grand tourer than circuit-slaying hypercar.
Enter AMG
As Mercedes-AMG became fully integrated into the brand, models like the SLS AMG and AMG GT showed that Mercedes could combine raw power with track-tuned dynamics. The AMG GT Black Series, with its 730 hp and Nürburgring record, pushed the envelope even further. But it still relied on a traditional front-engine layout.
To join the supercar elite, Mercedes had to build something outrageous, something revolutionary—and that meant going back to its most dominant performance source: Formula 1.
The Mercedes-AMG ONE: A Formula 1 Car for the Road
Announced as “Project ONE” in 2017, this hypercar was Mercedes-AMG’s boldest undertaking ever. It was a promise to deliver F1 performance, technology, and design on the street.
Engine and Powertrain
At the heart of the AMG ONE lies a 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 hybrid engine, directly sourced from Mercedes’ championship-winning Formula 1 car.
Power Stats:
- Internal Combustion Engine: 574 hp
- Electric Motors: 4 motors—2 front-wheel motors, 1 crankshaft motor, 1 integrated with the turbo
- Total Output: 1,063 horsepower
- 0–100 km/h: 2.9 seconds
- Top Speed: Over 350 km/h
Hybrid Magic
This isn’t a Prius-style hybrid. The AMG ONE uses its electric motors for instant torque and blistering acceleration. The advanced Energy Recovery System (ERS) captures wasted heat from the turbo and braking, converting it into usable power.
The front motors offer torque vectoring, while the turbo is electrically assisted to eliminate lag. It’s the most complex hybrid system ever fitted to a road car.
Aerodynamics and Chassis
The AMG ONE is built around a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis with race-style pushrod suspension and active aerodynamics, including:
- Multi-stage adjustable rear wing
- Front diffuser flaps
- Side air intakes adapted from F1
- Roof scoop and shark fin
Race-Ready Tech
- 9,000+ RPM redline
- 6-speed automated manual transmission developed specifically for this engine
- 18.1 km electric-only range
- Track, Race+, and EV driving modes
- Carbon-ceramic brakes
Record-Breaking Performance
In November 2022, the AMG ONE set the production car lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife with a time of 6:35.183. It beat hypercars from Porsche, Lamborghini, and McLaren.
This wasn’t just a flex—it was proof that Mercedes-AMG had built the fastest road-legal car in the world, validated on the most brutal race track on Earth.
The AMG ONE vs The Supercar Elite
| Model | Power | 0–100 km/h | Top Speed | Nürburgring Time | Price |
| AMG ONE | 1,063 hp | 2.9s | 350+ km/h | 6:35.183 | €2.75M |
| Ferrari SF90 | 986 hp | 2.5s | 340 km/h | 6:58.8 | $625K |
| Aston Martin Valkyrie | 1,160 hp | ~2.6s | 355 km/h | N/A | $3M |
| McLaren P1 | 903 hp | 2.8s | 350 km/h | 6:47 | $1.35M |
| Bugatti Chiron | 1,500 hp | 2.4s | 420 km/h | N/A | $3M |
While the Bugatti Chiron leads in top speed, the AMG ONE takes the crown for circuit performance and technological complexity.
AMG GT Black Series: The Gateway Supercar
Before the AMG ONE, the GT Black Series pushed Mercedes to new performance heights. With a flat-plane 4.0-liter V8 making 730 hp, the GT Black Series was designed for the racetrack.
- 0–100 km/h: 3.2 seconds
- Top speed: 325 km/h
- Nürburgring time: 6:43.6 (former record-holder)
It wasn’t a hypercar, but it proved that Mercedes could build a track weapon on par with the best from Lamborghini and Porsche.
The Future of Mercedes Supercars
The AMG ONE is a bridge between the past and the future. It’s likely to be the last combustion-powered hypercar from Mercedes.
The next chapter will be electric. Mercedes-AMG is investing in its AMG.EA platform, set to underpin the next generation of all-electric performance vehicles. Expect:
- In-wheel motors
- Solid-state batteries
- Active suspension using AI
- More than 1,500 hp
Mercedes has confirmed that future AMGs will remain emotionally engaging, even if they make no sound.
Conclusion: A Supercar Crown Earned
With the AMG ONE, Mercedes didn’t just build a supercar—they redefined the genre. It’s a testament to everything the brand stands for: precision, power, and pushing the limits of what’s possible.
From luxury cruisers to Nürburgring lap records, the journey has been extraordinary. The AMG ONE is more than a car—it’s an engineering sculpture, a piece of racing history, and a vision of what’s to come.
In the end, the AMG ONE may not just be the best supercar Mercedes has ever made. It might be one of the greatest supercars ever built.