The Mercedes-AMG One sets a new record at the Nürburgring

It’s official: the Porsche 911 GT2 RS has lost its crown. The Stuttgart-based sports car held the title of fastest production car on the northern loop of the Nürburgring until today. It was beaten on 28 October by the Mercedes-AMG One, which set a time of 6:35.183, the new record for a production car. This is simply eight seconds quicker than the Porsche, even though the weather conditions were less favorable.

The countless months of preparation during which the prototypes completed countless laps of the 21 kilometer-long Green Hell paid off. For the big day, Mercedes called on Maro Engel, a DTM driver, which is the German touring car championship. The man, who knows the Nürburgring like the back of his hand, had to tame the complex AMG One before taking the plunge.

The car is largely based on Formula 1 technology, so it was essential to understand how its hybrid mechanics worked in order to make the most of the energy stored in the batteries on the key sections of the circuit. This included making the most of the DRS function carried over from F1 to optimise aerodynamics at high speeds.

The lap was run in Race Plus mode, which is the most extreme mode. It prepares the car for the most challenging track situations by lowering the chassis by 37 mm at the front and 30 mm at the rear. In addition, the four electric motors come into play simultaneously to support the combustion engine and provide maximum power at all times.

As a reminder, the Mercedes-AMG One has a 1.6-litre V6 engine combined with four electric motors developing a maximum combined power of 1,063 PS. This is paired with a seven-speed automated gearbox and 4Matic+ all-wheel drive. The AMG One has already been sold in 275 units and has an F1 engine that must be replaced every 50,000 km. The first deliveries will take place in spring 2023.