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Maro Engel improves the previous record for road-legal production vehicles by a remarkable eight seconds, despite less than ideal track conditions! The Mercedes-AMG ONE is the king of the Nürburgring-Nordschleife: With an officially measured and notarized time of 6:35,183 minutes for the 20,832-kilometer route, the hypercar with Formula 1™ technology sets a new record for road-legal production vehicles and in in the supercar category.
Mercedes AMG ONE
The record runs on October 28, 2022 were hard to beat in terms of excitement: At exactly 17:14:31 p.m., racing driver and AMG brand ambassador Maro Engel went out on the track for the last attempt of the day and set the new fabulous time in the legendary and demanding Eifel Asphalt. And really not a minute too early, because the track would have been officially closed at 17:15 p.m. Although Maro Engel had previously set a new record, the DTM driver was not yet satisfied. Towards the end of the track slot, the conditions got better by the minute. So Maro Engel used the very last opportunity and improved the lap time to the new official record of 6:35,183 minutes. Based on the track variant known from the sport auto Supertest, the lap time is 6:30,705 minutes.
"It really was an unforgettable experience," said Maro Engel after completing the record lap. “I didn't expect that we could set such a lap time in these track conditions. In some crucial areas of the track it was not completely dry and therefore tricky. That was a special challenge. During the preliminary tests, we tried to find out the optimal deployment strategy. Like Lewis Hamilton and George Russell on their race weekends, I had to use the electrical energy of the hybrid drive as best as possible. This is not without problems, especially with this route length. In addition, it was still necessary to use the DRS function optimally. But that's also a real Formula 1 feeling. It is something very special to be able to drive around the ring in this unique vehicle.”
"I'm proud of the entire AMG team - of everyone who was involved in this project. The various departments in Affalterbach and our colleagues at HPP in Brixworth never gave up and continued to push the dream of this vehicle. This success is the deserved reward of hard work. Even if the AMG ONE is certainly more at home on a Grand Prix circuit than on the Nordschleife - as is so often the case with this project, we simply went one step further. We are the first ever to face the challenges at the Nürburgring with a super sports car. That is also what makes this project so unique and I am very happy about this fantastic lap time,” said Philipp Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
At first it didn't look like a new record: The weather was sunny with a light wind, but the track - typical Nürburgring in autumn - was still damp in some areas and partly dirty. In some passages, such as the fast Kesselchen section, the ideal line was not yet completely dry. All in all, not ideal conditions – especially for a vehicle in this extreme performance class. Before the track was passable for a first fast lap, the remaining time melted down to less than an hour. With air and asphalt temperatures of almost 20 degrees Celsius, this was only enough for a maximum of four fast laps.
Mercedes-AMG brought two ONE to the ring, which meant that the short time could be used effectively. According to the specifications of the Nürburgring 1927 GmbH & Co. KG, both vehicles were tested and documented by TÜV Rheinland to ensure they were serial. A notary confirmed that the vehicles were in proper condition and that the record runs had been carried out correctly.
Record-breaking vehicle in absolutely standard condition
Technically, the record-breaking vehicle had everything that the Mercedes-AMG ONE offers as standard: the hypercar brings Formula 1™ hybrid drive technology from the race track to the road for the first time in the world. With one combustion engine and four electric motors, the E PERFORMANCE hybrid delivers a total of 782 kW (1.063 hp), and the top speed is limited to 352 km/h. The other motorsport technology ranges from the carbon monocoque and the carbon body to the load-bearing engine/transmission unit and active aerodynamics to the push-rod chassis. With its complex technology, the two-seater Mercedes-AMG ONE sometimes even offers more than a Formula 1™ racing car. It has the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with hybrid-driven rear axle and electrically-driven front axle with torque vectoring.
The maximum camber values within the delivery tolerance were selected for the record run. Maro Engel selected the "Race Plus" driving program. That means: Active, maximum possible aerodynamics, tight chassis tuning, vehicle lowering by 37 mm on the front axle and 30 mm on the rear axle and full power from all engines. The Drag Reduction System (DRS) is activated by the driver by pressing a button on the steering wheel. The front louvres on the fender retract as does the upper aero element of the two-stage rear wing. If the system detects deceleration or a certain degree of lateral acceleration, the aero elements extend again at lightning speed.
Intelligent driving style for optimal energy management
The record lap in the hybrid super sports car with Formula 1™ technology not only required driving skills, but also an intelligent driving style: Maro Engel used a special energy management system for the lap over the 20,8 km long Nordschleife. This means that he was not able to accelerate to the maximum possible speed on all sections of the route, but had to economize on energy. To do this, he used the four-stage so-called Energy Flow Control (EFC) of the AMG ONE and sometimes took his foot off the gas a little earlier. This is dubbed "Lift and Coast" in technical argon. In addition, Maro also used the energy recovery in the braking phases, so that the high-performance battery still had enough power for a top speed of 338 km/h on the long Döttingerhöhe.
The AMG ONE customer can also use all of these possible variations. This also applies to the fully standard MICHELIN Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO tires, which were specially developed for the ONE together with development partner Michelin. The standard AMG ceramic high-performance compound brake system ensured maximum deceleration and stability.
First automobile manufacturer with a hypercar on the Ring
Mercedes-AMG is the first automobile manufacturer to venture onto the Nürburgring-Nordschleife with such a hypercar and to set official records there. The Mercedes-AMG ONE is therefore not only the absolutely fastest road-legal vehicle on the Nordschleife, but also number 1 in the Nürburgring category "super sports car".
The fast lap times were precisely measured by the neutral experts from "wige SOLUTIONS". An independent notary also certified the proper condition of the vehicle and the measurements with an eleven-page document.
About the Mercedes-AMG ONE
The E PERFORMANCE hybrid drive of the Mercedes-AMG ONE comes directly from Formula 1 and was realized in close cooperation with the experts from Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth. It consists of a highly integrated and intelligently networked unit consisting of a hybrid turbo combustion engine with a total of four electric motors: One is integrated in the turbocharger, one is located directly on the combustion engine and is connected to the crankshaft, and two more drive the front wheels.
The technology of the 1,6-litre V6 hybrid petrol engine with electrically assisted single-turbocharger corresponds to that of the current Formula 1 engine. The four overhead camshafts are driven via spur gears. In order to achieve a high level of engine speed, the mechanical valve springs have been replaced by pneumatic valve springs. The engine installed in the mid-engine position in front of the rear axle rotates at up to 11.000 rpm. However, for longer durability and the use of commercially available super plus petrol, it deliberately remains below the F1 rev limit.
The high-revving engine is powered by a high-tech turbocharger. The exhaust and compressor turbines are spaced apart and connected by a shaft. This allows the turbocharger to be installed in a lower position. There is an approx. 90 kW electric motor on the shaft. Electronically controlled, this drives the shaft of the turbocharger directly, thus accelerating the compressor wheel to up to 100.000 rpm before the exhaust gas flow takes over. The typical Formula 1 designation for this unit is MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit Heat).
Lightning-fast response, faster than a naturally aspirated V8
Biggest advantage: The response behavior improves significantly right from idle speed (when the exhaust gas flow is still weak) over the entire speed range. The 1,6-liter V6 engine responds even more spontaneously to commands from the accelerator pedal, and the overall driving experience is highly dynamic. In addition, the electrification of the exhaust gas turbocharger enables higher torque at low engine speeds. This also increases agility and optimizes acceleration. Even if the driver takes their foot off the gas or brakes, the technology is able to maintain the boost pressure at all times. This ensures a continuously direct response.
The electric exhaust gas turbocharger in the Mercedes-AMG ONE has another advantage: It uses part of the excess energy from the exhaust gas flow to generate electrical energy as a generator. This is either stored in the high-voltage lithium-ion battery or fed to the electric front axle or the electric machine (MGU-K = Motor Generator Unit Kinetic) on the combustion engine. The MGU-K has an output of 120 kW, is positioned directly on the combustion engine and is connected to the crankshaft via a spur gear drive – another technology that ensures maximum efficiency and performance in Formula 1.
Turbocharging and direct injection with spray-guided combustion process not only enable high power output, but also increase thermodynamic efficiency and thus reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. The high-performance six-cylinder has two injection systems. Direct injection transports the fuel into the combustion chambers at a pressure of up to 270 bar. This sometimes happens several times and is controlled by the engine control as required. The additional port injection is required in order to achieve the high specific output of the engine while at the same time complying with the exhaust gas limits.
Added to this is the very complex and effective exhaust gas cleaning system with four preheated metal catalytic converters, two ceramic catalytic converters and two petrol particle filters. The four heating elements with a total output of 16 kW make it possible to comply with the EU6 exhaust emission limits under real driving conditions (RDE). In addition, the exhaust gas cleaning system is counter-pressure-optimized to avoid performance losses. This also applies to the large rear silencer made of light titanium.
New all-wheel drive with purely electrically driven front axle
The two electric motors on the front axle, each with an output of 120 kW, achieve a rotor speed of up to 50.000 rpm. They are each connected to the front wheels via a reduction gear. The front axle, which is therefore driven purely electrically, works wheel-selectively in each case and thus enables individual torque distribution for particularly high driving dynamics ("torque vectoring"). In addition, the braking energy can be optimally used for recuperation with the two electric motors – up to 80 percent under everyday driving conditions. This energy is stored in the battery and is available for a longer electric range or for more drive performance. Each electric motor is controlled by its own power electronics, which are placed in the floor of the car close to the electric motors.
High performance battery with Formula 1 technology
The lithium-ion energy store is also a special development by Mercedes-AMG. Its technology has already proven itself under the toughest conditions in the Formula 1 hybrid racing cars of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team and can also be found in the battery of the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 SE PERFORMANCE. The AMG high-performance battery combines high power that can be called up frequently in succession with low weight in order to increase overall performance. Added to this are the fast energy consumption and the high power density. This means that when driving briskly on hilly terrain, for example, drivers can spontaneously call up the full performance potential uphill, while there is strong recuperation when driving downhill.
The arrangement of the battery cells and the cell cooling correspond to the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 racing car. For everyday use, however, the number in the Mercedes-AMG ONE is many times greater. The capacity of 8,4 kWh is sufficient for an all-electric range of 18,1 kilometers. It is charged using alternating current and the integrated 3,7 kW on-board charger. In addition, the battery can be supplied with fresh energy by recuperation or by the combustion engine. The lithium-ion high-voltage battery and the DC/DC converter for supporting and charging the 12 V vehicle electrical system are housed behind the front axle in the vehicle floor to save space.
Innovative direct cooling of the high-voltage battery
The basis for the high performance of the battery is the innovative direct cooling: A high-tech coolant flows around all cells and cools them individually. Background: Every battery needs a defined temperature for optimum power output. If the energy store gets too cold or too hot, it loses power noticeably at times or has to be turned down to avoid damage when the heat levels are too high. An even temperature control of the battery therefore has a decisive influence on its performance, service life and safety.
The coolant circulates from top to bottom through the entire battery, past each cell, by means of a high-performance electric pump and also flows through a heat exchanger mounted directly on the battery. The system is designed to ensure even heat distribution in the battery. The result: The battery is always within an even, optimal working temperature window of an average of 45 degrees Celsius - no matter how often it is charged or discharged. If you drive hard, it is quite possible that the average temperature will be exceeded. The protective mechanisms are therefore set in such a way that the maximum performance can be drawn from the battery, in order to then reduce the temperature level again through direct cooling.
Only direct cooling makes it possible to use cells with a very high power density. Thanks to this individual solution, the battery system is particularly light and compact. The material-saving busbar concept and the light but stable crash structure of the aluminum housing also contribute to the low weight. It guarantees maximum security. Another feature is the high voltage of the drive system, which operates at 800 volts instead of the usual 400 volts. Due to the higher voltage level, the cable cross-sections can be significantly reduced, for example, and space and weight can be saved accordingly.
Intelligent operating strategies for optimal performance and efficiency
All in all, the high-performance plug-in hybrid drive system offers numerous intelligent operating strategies that are optimally tailored to different application scenarios. The driving programs range from purely electric operation to a highly dynamic mode (Strat 2), which corresponds to a setting used in Formula 1 qualifying for the best possible lap times. Despite the high level of system complexity, the driver will always receive the optimal combination of performance and efficiency, depending on his current requirements.
[1]The information on consumption and CO2-Emissions are provisional and were determined internally in accordance with the "WLTP test procedure" certification method. So far there are neither confirmed values from the technical service nor an EC type approval nor a certificate of conformity with official values. Deviations between the information and the official values are possible.
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6:35,183 min: Mercedes-AMG ONE is number 1 on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife
Photo credit: Mercedes-Benz
