Heart-Pounding Mercedes-AMG ONE Hits Astonishing Speeds on Autobahn
Automotive aficionados, brace yourselves for an exhilarating experience. Michael Spegel, better known in the virtual realm as Gercollector, has just taken the jaw-dropping supercar-low-mileage-mercedes-amg-gt-black-series">Mercedes-AMG ONE for a spin on the speed-limitless Autobahn, pushing the vehicle to the very brink of its extraordinary capabilities. This event was not just a display of speed, but a showcase of motor engineering artistry.
Codenamed R50, the remarkable Mercedes-AMG ONE echoes the innovative legacy of AMG. While its creation in the United Kingdom, rather than Germany, might surprise some, it is hardly without precedent. After all, the SLR McLaren emerged from the mind-bending labs of Woking, England. However, what sets the ONE truly apart is its heart — a turbo hybrid power unit adapted from Formula 1 marvels.
A Powerplant Like No Other
At the core of the ONE is a power unit not unlike the turbo hybrid systems in F1 cars. Unlike the W15 E Performance engines of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell though, the setup in the ONE offers a more visceral, road-legal interpretation of F1's cutting-edge technology. This beast sports a 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 engine, combined with electric motors to form an impressive plug-in hybrid system capable of generating astonishing power without much effort.
Gercollector’s documented ride displays a speedometer racing to 347 kilometers per hour (about 216 miles per hour) in sixth gear. This is just shy of the AMG-quoted peak of 352 kph (219 mph). The ease with which the car approaches such high speeds speaks volumes of Mercedes-AMG's engineering prowess.
Faster, But Not Just for Speed
While the numbers are impressive, the Mercedes-AMG ONE isn’t designed solely for blistering speeds. Unlike hypercars such as the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, the ONE strikes a delicate balance between speed, handling, and driving experience. Whether weaving through curves or hitting high speeds on long straights, the ONE offers a connection between car and driver that’s nearly unparalleled.
Legendary driver Maro Engel proved these characteristics when he clocked an impressive 6:30.705 time around the Nurburgring in October 2022. Notably, this wasn’t achieved in peak summer weather; Engel tackled the Green Hell’s complex track during the unpredictable month of October. Yet, the ONE bested the Manthey-tuned Porsche 911 GT2 RS's time by over eight seconds. For the full 20.8-kilometer lap, the official record reads 6:35.183, a testament to both Engel’s and the car’s abilities.
Revving to Unimaginable Heights
Among the host of impressive features, the ONE’s rev-happy nature stands out. Revving up to 11,000 rpm, the six-cylinder powerhouse delivers a symphony of mechanical euphoria. While it doesn’t quite match the 15,000 rpm limit seen in current F1 power units, it’s closer to those prestigious figures than any competitor.
Even in the world of production cars, screaming powerplants are rare. Gordon Murray’s T.50 fan car, with its Cosworth-developed V12, revs up to 12,100 rpm, one of the highest among road-legal vehicles. It’s a rare treat to see production cars so closely bridging the gap to F1 technology.
Moreover, the Cosworth V12 finds another application in Aston Martin’s Valkyrie, limited to “only” 11,100 rpm. Such high-revving engines could swiftly become relics, given stricter emissions and noise regulations. The golden era of insane, rev-heavy supercars and hypercars like the ONE and T.50 may soon face inevitable sunset.
So, while we still can, let’s enjoy the phenomenal feats of engineering like the Mercedes-AMG ONE on the open roads and racetracks. As auto enthusiasts, these experiences are a reminder of the boundless ingenuity and passion in automotive engineering.