In part one of our feature on some of the most eagerly anticipated cars set to grace our technologically advancing futures, we look at one of the manufacturers-in-the-headlights that are most certainly upping the ante in terms of performance plus, not only in the racing world but in accessible, one-for-the-punters road car terms as well.
Nico Rosberg’s teeth-grittingly close second place win at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix recently not only clinched the 31-year-old German his first ever Formula 1 championship, it assured him a triumphant place in the annals of racing history, along with his father, former world champion Keke Rosberg.
Suitably snug at the wheel of his Mercedes-AMG F1, there was no doubt he was an odds-on bet. Mercedes has dominated motor racing’s top echelons since 2014’s dramatic rule changes (ushering in the V6 hybrid and turbo era), collected more than 100 wins as an engine supplier and is ranked fourth most successful in the history of the F1.
But probably one of the most fervently awaited developments with the brand (for those that have the oodles of cash to splash) is just a spine-tingling, strategically negotiated hairpin turn around the next technological corner.
Deemed as a 'hypercar’, this all-wheel drive vehicle will feature a carbon fibre monocoque and a gullwing cockpit, with a design expected to combine the look of a W07 F1 with that of a modern-day LMP1 endurance racer. Aluminium and other lightweight metals will be used for the front and rear crash structures and it will, of course, be expected to exhibit the superb fit and finish customers expect from a Mercedes.
(This video below from the Mercedes AMG Facebook Page is from there press conference at the 2016 Paris Motorsport. It confirmed the Mercedes Hypercar would become a reality.)
At a weight of between 1000kg and 1300kg and an aero-sensitive design that will grant it the down force, and therefore the grip and traction it needs to exploit its available power, this baby’s top speed is expected to bypass around 220mph.
Although road tyre development may be a limiting factor, it’s expected that the collaboration between the F1 race team and Mercedes-AMG’s road car teams will adequately nail logistical challenges like its rear-wheel steering, torque vectoring and the attainment of a decent drag-reduction system.
With a 1.6-litre V6 turbo engine and an energy-recovery system capable of taking its total output beyond 1000bhp, it’s not yet known whether the engine will be expanded to two litres, although with Mercedes current exemption from motorsport regulations it’s a distinct possibility.
Of course a starter motor, power supply and cooling system will need to be designed, as well as a gearbox that can cope with the day-to-day, however a possible additional turbocharger, and the odd 160bhp electric motor (one for each of the front wheels and possibly an electric motor on the rear axle) will undoubtedly add a further layer of reliability and driveability to this must-have machine.
The ‘uber’ car market is certainly new territory for Mercedes, and the team tasked with designing the engine will have a big job on their hands to get it production-ready, but if there’s an external power source, the batteries are sufficiently charged and the hydraulics haven’t been lost in the gearbox, then it’s still technically possible. With development lead by the Formula 1 team's Brackley base and the Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains facility in Brixworth, the benefits of the manufacturer’s technology trickledown from circuit to road suitability is imminently more than just moderately achievable.
As one of two special projects developed to commemorating AMG’s 50th birthday in 2017, the Mercedes ‘ultra car’ is said to be currently entering the final stages of the design process and is scheduled for its first delivery in 2018. If all goes to plan, it will certainly elevate Mercedes into the highest echelons of performance cars around the world.
So … how do you get your race-ready hands on one of these babies you might ask? Well, you’ll need a decent haggling capacity first up, as production numbers could be as low as only 50 (to coincide with the anniversary of course). Then you’ll need to have around five and a half million dollars in cold hard cash that you’re prepared to burn.
References:
http://www.topgear.com/car-news/supercars/mercedes-amgs-f1-based-hypercar-coming
http://www.evo.co.uk/news/18211/update-mercedes-confirms-f1-engined-hypercar-at-paris-motor-show
http://www.caranddriver.com/best-sports-cars
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mercedes-Benz_vehicles
https://www.facebook.com/MercedesAMG/videos/1288630344494376/
All images © 2016 Daimler AG Media.