I remember when I was in the presentation of the AMG Project One at the IAA Frankfurt 2017, there was an immense expectation around the car, even if the only thing you could see was the exterior of the car, like in the picture below. That moment in the past represents a change and a step forward in the technological transfer of technology from F1 to the road, and also a starting point for the new hybrid technology generation of Mercedes-AMG. Nowadays, all these hybridization technology projects are becoming a reality, and the sports subsidiary division of Mercedes presents the new technology that will be implemented in their future cars.
In this article will see some aspects of the development of the AMG Project One and the presentation of the new hybrid technology of Mercedes-AMG.
The sports division of Mercedes presents its new engines generation characterized by an essential hybridization in these times of regulations on pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, the future of Mercedes-AMG sports cars will be 100% electric, as will eventually be the case with most sports cars of the future, although synthetic fuels could reverse this trend. Until full electrification reaches Mercedes, Mercedes’ sports subsidiary will launch high-flying plug-in hybrids. AMG has just presented its E Performance sub-brand, which will encompass these electrified sports cars. In addition, they tell us what their four and eight cylinder plug-in hybrids will be like.
All these new technology starts with the Mercedes-AMG Project One, which is right now in its final steps of development and testing. The Mercedes-AMG Project One is a two-seater supercar prototype that incorporates the most advanced and efficient F1 hybrid technology in a road model with virtually no modification, and establish one of the main milestones of AMG’s 50th anniversary celebration. The high-performance hybrid model is expected to develop more than 1,000 hp and reach a top speed of over 350 km/h. The showcar combines the outstanding performance of a racing car with exemplary efficiency with Formula 1 hybrid technology and suitability for everyday use. This combination is unique throughout the world.
The Mercedes-AMG Project ONE’s high-performance plug-in hybrid powertrain comes directly from Formula 1 and is the result of close cooperation with the motorsport experts at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth. It consists of a highly integrated and intelligently interconnected unit, comprising a supercharged hybrid combustion engine and a total of four electric motors. One of these is integrated into the turbocharger, another is located at the bottom of the combustion engine, attached directly to the crankshaft, and the other two drive the front wheels.
The 1.6-liter V6 gasoline-hybrid engine with direct injection and single turbocharger with electric assistance is taken directly from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1. To achieve high engine speeds, the mechanical valve springs have been replaced by pneumatic variants. This allows the engine, which is centrally positioned in front of the rear axle, to effortlessly reach a maximum speed of 11,000 rpm a unique level for a road car. However, the speed is deliberately kept below the F1 speed limit in order to ensure greater durability and the possibility of refueling with conventional Super Plus gasoline instead of racing fuel.
The electric motors installed on the front axle also reach an exceptional speed of up to 50,000 rpm of the rotor. By way of comparison, conventional technology currently only reaches 20,000 rpm.
The high-revving engine is assisted by a high-tech turbocharger. The exhaust gas turbine and compressor turbine are separated to ensure an ideal position with respect to the exhaust and intake side of the engine and are connected via a drive shaft. A 90 kW electric motor is mounted on this shaft, which, depending on the operating condition, can drive the compressor turbine up to a speed of 100,000 rpm. For example, when starting up, or after load changes. This unit is referred to in Formula 1 as MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit Heat).
The main advantage is that the drop in overfeeding is completely eliminated and the lag in response to throttle commands due to the inertia of the large turbocharger is completely eliminated. The effective reaction time is considerably reduced, being shorter than in a naturally aspirated V8 engine. The electric turbocharger has a second advantage. It harnesses some of the excess energy from the exhaust gases and converts it into electrical energy, operating as a generator. This energy feeds the high-voltage lithium-ion battery (recovery) or is used in one of the other electric motors as an additional source of propulsion. This electric motor develops an output of 120 kW and is located next to the combustion engine, linked to the crankshaft by a spur gear (MGU-K = Motor Generator Unit Kinetic). This is another technology from Formula 1 that provides maximum efficiency and power.
The thermal efficiency of the internal combustion engine with electric turbocharger (MGU-H) in combination with the electric motor on the crankshaft (MGU-K) will amount to more than 40%. This figure sets a new record for a production vehicle. Added to this are two further electric motors with 120 kW unit power on the front axle. They are coupled to the front wheels via two reduction gears. The electrically driven front axle will allow the two front wheels to be accelerated and braked separately and thus configure a selective torque distribution to increase driving dynamics.
The driver can set off in purely electric mode. Initially, the Hypercar is driven by the electric motors on the front axle, and the electric motor on the crankshaft intervenes if the driver wishes to accelerate briefly. If the driver presses harder on the throttle demanding more power, the V6 engine starts up. As the engine speed increases, the powertrain develops its full potential. With the Race Start function it is possible to achieve impressive levels of acceleration: the sprint from 0 to 200 km/h is completed in less than six seconds. If the driver takes his foot off the accelerator again and the vehicle rolls without traction, the system switches to electric propulsion of the front axle and recovers up to 80% of the kinetic energy during braking (under normal conditions), which it converts into electricity to recharge the battery.
Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a completely new 8-speed manual transmission developed especially for Mercedes-AMG Project ONE. The gearshift control is hydraulic, and can be operated either manually, by means of shift paddles on the steering wheel, or automatically. For efficient deceleration, a high-performance ceramic brake system with weight-optimized composite discs is used. The low weight reduces unsprung masses, increasing dynamism and agility.
A multi-link suspension structure is used at the front and rear. The undercarriage with adjustable spring suspension has several special features. The two telescoping push-rod struts are arranged in a transverse position. The innovative arrangement of the suspension and damping unit takes over the function of a conventional transverse tube stabilizer. This solution effectively prevents rolling movements, even when making very rapid changes of direction, without compromising comfort. The overall harmonization of springs and dampers results in a perfectly balanced, easily controllable and, above all, sporty ride. The all-wheel drive and Torque Vectoring also contribute to this.
To sum it up, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE will be much more than just an impressive machine, bringing current Formula 1 hybrid technology to the road and combining racetrack-worthy performance with full everyday usability. This car is the ideal basis for accumulating knowledge and experience – both with regard to its high-performance plug-in hybrid drive technology as well as new chassis configurations and extended vehicle electronics – from which future AMG series vehicles can benefit.
The weight of the car is estimated around 1315Kg, and the production of the car is planned to be limited to 275 units at a price of US$2.72 million per unit, all of which have been already sold.
Regarding to this, Mercedes-AMG presents its new set of engines for the new AMG models, adding the initials E-performance to the badge.
The “E Performance” portion of the name replaces the “EQ Power+” designation that AMG previously said would feature on its future electrified fleet. The significance of using E Performance on both the F1 race cars and future road cars is to strengthen the link between the two divisions of AMG, as well as highlight some of their shared technology.
Mercedes-Benz AMG E Performance is launching plug-in hybrid models with turbo inline 4 and twin-turbo V8 power aided by electric motors and some F1 technology.
The first car to arrive as an AMG E Performance model is the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe due later this year. Previously speculated to be called the AMG 73, the so-far-unnamed big fastback will make more than 800 hp thanks to the familiar 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 and a rear-mounted electric motor that adds 94 hp on a constant basis and up to 201 hp (plus 236 lb-ft of torque) when called upon.
The motor will sit on the rear axle, along with an electronic limited-slip differential and a 2-speed transmission. The transmission is necessary because the motor only spins up to 13,500 rpm and second gear will allow it to add more power at speeds above 140 km/h.
A 6.1-kwh battery pack will also reside in the rear. Adapted from the power units used in Mercedes-Benz AMG’s Formula One racing program, it is made of 560 cylindrical battery cells that are each surrounded by a liquid cooling system to keep battery temperature at 45 degrees Celsius during operation. The 400-volt battery will take a full charge from a Level 2 240-volt charger in about two hours through its 3.7kw on-board charger, but it won’t have Level 3 charging capability. AMG says it has twice the power density of other lithium-ion hybrid batteries, it can discharge and accept a charge quickly, and it weighs 89 kgs.
The motor will allow for all-electric driving up to 130 km/h in an Electric mode, but AMG is not quoting an electric driving range. Instead, company spokespeople said the point of the system is to improve power and efficiency, though fuel economy ratings are not yet available. Full electric boost will be available in S, S+, and Race modes, and an Efficiency mode will make it act like any other hybrid system. AMG will also allow drivers to choose the electric motor resistance in four levels, with anything from a sailing mode to one-pedal driving, and will incorporate its AMG Dynamics stability control system with settings ranging from Basic to Master.
Mercedes-Benz AMG said the electric motor will send its power to the front wheels through the 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system when the rear tires slip.
This rear-mounted EV system will be paired with the brand’s familiar twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 in the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe and other cars to come, as well as the 9-speed MCT Speedshift automatic transmission used in many V8 powered AMG models. Mercedes-Benz AMG promises total output of at least 804 hp, which should unlock a 0-100km/h time of less than 3.0 seconds.
The Mercedes-Benz AMG E Performance lineup will also include 4-cylinder cars. While AMG wouldn’t confirm it, the first out of the chute should be the replacement for the C63, which is due next year. It will use the same rear-mounted plug-in hybrid system, this time working with the M139 2.0-liter turbo-4 that powers the current CLA 45 and A 45 models. In those applications, the engine is mounted transversely, but it will use a longitudinal layout in its E Performance application. Those cars make 382 hp, but the E Performance models will increase output to 442 hp thanks to an electric turbocharger located between the turbine and compressor. Also set to appear in the Mercedes-Benz AMG One, this electric turbo has the agility of a small turbo, allows the engine to create the peak power of a large turbo, and continues spinning when the driver’s foot is off the throttle pedal thanks to its electric control.
Both the 4 and 8 cylinder engines will also come with a belt-driven starter-alternator that provides 14 hp to supply energy to the air conditioner and driving lights.
Together with the plug-in hybrid system, the 2.0 liter turbo inline 4 will make at least 643 hp, according to AMG, which is 140 hp more than the current C63 S. Mercedes may be switching from a V8 to a 4 banger in its compact performance car, but that doesn’t mean power will suffer.
The Mercedes-Benz AMG E Performance models will represent the first step toward electrification for the performance brand, and the plug-in hybrids will all use existing platforms developed for gasoline-powered cars. They AMG E Performance lineup will expand to several models beyond the AMG GT and C-Class mentioned above.
Full EVs based on the Electric Vehicle Architecture of EQ models will be the next step. These will have motors front and rear, AMG-specific all-wheel drive and brakes, adaptive dampers, a custom sound, and wheels up to 22 inches in diameter. They’ll also get AMG design cues inside and out, and AMG said they will fill the role of AMG 43 and 53 models, but not the higher performance 63 versions.
Source: Mercedes-AMG.