Frankfurt show: Mercedes teases Project One again

MERCEDES-AMG has given punters the biggest clue as to the design of its forthcoming Project One hypercar, posting a picture to social media of its hybrid monster being loaded into a trailer on the way to the motor show.

The rear-on shot of the Project one shows an aggressive design befitting of its Formula 1 pedigree, with an extremely low and wide stance and a number of other eye-catching features.

Its rear end is shaped by a swooping outline, with slim, three-part tail-lights that match the headlight design partially revealed last week.

A massive, central exhaust sits underneath the numberplate, while the F1-inspired roof-mounted air intake visible from previous teasers can be seen running along the spine of the car and into the mid-mounted engine bay.

The engine bay also features a largely vented hood to add extra cooling to the 1.6-litre V6 hybrid powertrain.

Mercedes-AMG has slated the Project One as “the most ambitious project the performance and sports car brand has ever planned”, and will be comfortably crowned the most powerful road-going car in the company’s history to date.

The performance car-maker has previously announced that the Project One’s F1-derived powertrain, which consists of the V6 and a pair of electric motors for a combined power output of over 745kW, which can propel the hypercar on to a top speed of over 350km/h.

Combustion powerplants will be built at the same British factory that produce the Mercedes racing engines, but it is still unknown what changes will be made to the engine for consumer use.

When it does arrive in production form in around 2019, it will face competition from the likes of the Aston Martin Valkyrie and yet-to-be-revealed McLaren BP23.

Mercedes-Benz Asia Pacific senior manager public relations, product and corporate communications David McCarthy confirmed that out of 300 units slated for production worldwide, eight would be coming to Australia.

No pricing information has been revealed for the Project One, however a pricetag comfortably in the seven-figure range is expected.

More information on the Project One’s specs and performance figures will become clearer one the car is unveiled on the Mercedes-Benz stand at the Frankfurt show tomorrow.