Mercedes-AMG ONE Nürburgring-Nordschleife

The Mercedes-AMG ONE Sets A Blistering Nürburgring Lap Record

Even though Mercedes broke lap times left and right the last time they put the Mercedes-AMG ONE through its paces on the Nürburgring, they don’t seem too pleased with it. Two years ago, a lot of the folks at Mercedes-AMG felt like they could do more, given that the track conditions were not entirely ideal when they initially sought to break the Nürburgring lap record. Typical for the Nürburgring, back then, some sections of the massive track were still damp, so you can imagine just how many seconds were left on the table. But now, they’re back, and with better track conditions, the Mercedes-AMG ONE has set a new lap record – 6:29.090 minutes!

This meant that the Mercedes-AMG ONE broke the incumbent – itself – and it was able to beat their previous lap record by over 5 seconds. That also marks the first time that any production-spec, road-legal car broke the 6:30 minute mark. Maro Engel, a brand ambassador and driver in the German DTM series, was the one who piloted this particular Mercedes-AMG ONE to set the new Nürburgring lap record. Everything about the attempt was scrutinised, including how they ensured that track conditions were pretty much optimal. This meant air temperatures of 15°C, and asphalt temperatures of 20°C, providing perfect grip on the Nordschleife.

Mercedes-AMG ONE Nürburgring-Nordschleife

Formula 1 And Motorsports Tech, Made For The Road

Naturally, while the sheer skill it takes to get around the Nürburgring-Nordschleife that fast is beyond admirable, the Mercedes-AMG ONE has more than a handful of techy bits and pieces that solidified its place among the pantheon of performance cars. For example, the AMG ONE has a Formula 1-derived 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid V6 engine, which is then paired with no less than 4 electric motors. Putting an F1 engine into a road car is no easy feat, but Mercedes managed it somehow, and putting out a whopping 1,063hp, to boot! Other F1 tech that you’ll see here include a carbon monocoque, active aero, pushrod suspension, and torque vectoring.

Speaking of the Mercedes-AMG ONE’s hybrid system, managing energy consumption over the Nürburgring-Nordschleife’s lengthy 20.832-kilometre track was key to breaking the lap record. Maro Engel had to strategically use the AMG ONE’s hybrid energy recovery system, while also allowing enough charge to make good use of the powertrain. During the record lap, the AMG ONE was set to its “Race Plus” drive mode. This allowed them to optimise the active aero, not to mention lowering the chassis and engaging the DRS (Drag Reduction System) to reduce its drag and achieve a higher top speed. I imagine seeing that DRS in action must’ve been cool.

Mercedes-AMG ONE Nürburgring-Nordschleife

A Nürburgring Lap Record To Break All Other Records

I’d be remiss to talk about the AMG ONE without at least shed more light on that battery pack and electric systems. The built-in four-stage Energy Flow Control (EFC) system was one of the electrics that had to be carefully managed during the record lap, allowing for recuperation more effectively. On top of that, between the 50,000 RPM electric motors, 8.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack, 800-volt architecture, and electrified turbo, there’s the hybrid system itself. You mostly have to bear in mind two huge components – the MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit Heat) and MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit Kinetic), both of which maximise your power output.

There are tonnes more with the AMG ONE that would satisfy even the geekiest of petrolheads, too! Maybe it’s the specially-made Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO tyres, or the AMG ceramic composite brakes, on top of its direct cooling system. That, with an abundance of carbon fibre and a super-lightweight aluminium crash structure, ensures that the AMG ONE weighs next to nothing, especially given its sporting credentials. I feel like it’s not even that long ago when the 7:00 mark at the Nürburgring was the time to beat. Now, we might soon be targeting the 6:00 mark, which sounds crazy for road cars, but the AMG ONE is taking us one step closer to it.

Mercedes-AMG ONE Nürburgring-Nordschleife

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