The Mercedes-AMG One will some day roam South Africa’s roads

Mercedes-AMG’s first hypercar is finally ready for series production after years of testing and teasers, and it’s simply badged the “One”.

This vehicle brings Formula 1 technology to the road in an impressive way and its production will be capped at 275 units – with each model, unsurprisingly, already having an owner.

At a starting price of $2.7 million (R46.2 million), only the most affluent of automotive enthusiasts can afford a One, and historically, South Africa hasn’t been on the receiving end of many high-end hypercars.

However, Mercedes-Benz has now confirmed that this is not the case with its One.

“There are plans to bring the [Mercedes-AMG One] cars to South Africa,” the company told TopAuto. “At the moment, no further information can be shared.”

It’s not unexpected that the owners want to keep as many details as possible private, so it remains to be seen who bought the locally-bound models and how they will look.

What we do know is that, as enthusiasts, we are simply overjoyed that at least one One is going to make it to the country.

Electric in the front, hybrid in the back

The new Mercedes-AMG One features innovative hybrid technologies with a hybrid-driven rear axle and fully-electric front axle.

This powertrain consists of a 1.6-litre, V6 engine with electrified turbocharging technologies allowing the petrol-only part to produce 422kW and rev up to 11,000rpm.

The turbocharger is then spooled by a 90kW electric motor, another 90kW unit sits on the crankshaft, and two more 120kW motors are positioned on the front axle – one for each wheel.

Getting the job of putting power to the ground is a newly-developed, seven-speed, automated manual transmission that was specifically designed to save weight and integrate as deeply into the One’s mechanical bowels as possible.

The combined system delivers an astonishing 782kW to the variable all-wheel-drive system, though Mercedes-AMG has elected not to reveal the maximum torque due to the complexity of the drivetrain.

Nevertheless, what all this pent-up aggression lets the new hypercar do is nothing short of showstopping.

It blasts through 0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds, 0-200km/h in 7.0 seconds, 0-300km/h in 15.6 seconds, and continues until topping out at 352km/h.

This is in addition to a maximum all-electric driving range of 18.1km, all while achieving an average fuel consumption of 8.7l/100km.

With the Formula 1-derived power unit of this Mercedes comes an equally mind-bending foundation.

The One’s chassis is produced from lightweight aluminium, its engine and transmission are load-bearing components that completely support the rear suspension, the springs and dampers are arranged to remove the need for a conventional cross stabiliser bar, and direct battery cooling lets drivers have the maximum levels of performance while maintaining consistent temperatures.

The body is also made completely of high-strength carbon fibre, allowing for a hatchback-rivalling 1,695kg kerb weight for this two-seater hypercar.

Each component on the One’s outer shell is there for a reason, this mostly being to manage drag and balance, resulting in its curves already generating downforce at speeds of as low as 50km/h.

This is complemented by hydraulically-controlled active aerodynamics that sees the suspension height, aero flaps at the front, rear wing, and louvres over the wheel arches all adjust at the push of a button to accomplish specific goals – such as comfort on tight city streets or track records around the Nurburgring.

Tying it all together are stylish and functional 19-inch alloy wheels at the front and 20-inch at the back, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R M01 tyres that were developed exclusively for this Mercedes.

Formula 1 for two

The two-seater Mercedes-AMG One is able to fulfil its passengers’ desires to experience F1 technology on the road and track.

As with the exterior, every panel and part inside the cabin has a purpose and emphasises the concept of form following function.

Fixed seats that integrate with the footwell allow for a lower centre of gravity – while an adjustable backrest, steering column, and pedal box keep this from being a one-size-fits-all approach.

Creature comforts are plentiful for a car of this calibre, too, and owners will have at their disposal a racing multifunction steering wheel, two 10-inch displays, climate control, six driving modes, and a nine-stage traction control system.

Standard fitment also includes Nappa leather/microfibre upholstery with yellow contrast stitching, and a variety of optional niceties can be had for an additional cost.

Mercedes’ personalisation department is also ready to cater to the demands of the One’s customers, so we should be seeing at least a few outlandish specifications when these vehicles start being delivered to their owners around the globe in late 2022.

Mercedes-AMG One