Hypercar Shatters Record with Astonishing 6:29.090 Lap Time, Showcasing the Future of Automotive Engineering
The roar of the engine and the hum of electric motors filled the air as the Mercedes-AMG ONE once again took on the famed Nürburgring-Nordschleife track. Behind the wheel was professional driver Maro Engel, an AMG brand ambassador and DTM driver, who had already broken records on this circuit. But in September 2024, Engel pushed the boundaries even further, obliterating his previous best time by more than five seconds. The result? A jaw-dropping lap time of 6:29.090 minutes, cementing the Mercedes-AMG ONE as the fastest production car ever to lap the Nürburgring.
The Nürburgring-Nordschleife, known for its intense curves, sharp turns, and relentless demands on both driver and machine, serves as the ultimate proving ground for the world’s fastest vehicles. And in this arena of automotive gladiators, the Mercedes-AMG ONE reigns supreme. The car, blending Formula 1 technology with road-legal engineering, has been the undisputed leader in its class since October 2022. Engel’s latest record, however, isn’t just a triumph for Mercedes—it’s a statement to the world about the future of hypercar technology.
A Record Two Years in the Making
The Mercedes-AMG ONE’s previous record, set in 2022, already positioned the hypercar at the top of the performance vehicle hierarchy. But the engineering team at Mercedes-AMG was convinced that there was more potential to unlock. The 2022 lap, achieved under less-than-ideal conditions, had left engineers and drivers alike hungry for more. With patches of dampness on the track that day, Engel had known he could push the car even further.
On September 23, 2024, with dry track conditions and cool temperatures—ideal for a high-speed assault—Engel once again climbed into the cockpit of the AMG ONE. At 6:56 p.m., on his third timed lap, Engel crossed the finish line, setting a new benchmark for production vehicles with an unprecedented time of 6:29.090 minutes over the 20.832-kilometre circuit.
“We’ve held the record for road vehicles for almost two years now, but at AMG, pushing the boundaries is what we do best,” said Michael Schiebe, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG. “This record shows the spirit, expertise, and dedication of our entire team.”
Harnessing Formula 1 Power for the Road
What makes the Mercedes-AMG ONE so extraordinary? For starters, it’s the only production car equipped with Formula 1 hybrid-drive technology, directly inspired by Mercedes-AMG’s dominance on the racetrack. The car’s powertrain includes a 1.6-liter V6 turbocharged engine, supplemented by four electric motors, producing a combined output of 782 kW (1,063 hp). The result is blistering acceleration and a top speed of 352 km/h, all while being street-legal.
The hybrid system, built with input from the same engineers responsible for Mercedes’ Formula 1 engines, brings unprecedented levels of performance to a road car. “Driving this car feels like nothing else,” Engel remarked after his record-breaking lap. “The hybrid system is incredibly complex, and making the most of the energy recovery system on a track as long and challenging as the Nürburgring requires a lot of strategy.”
Engel’s achievement was not just about speed but precision. Like Mercedes-AMG’s Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, Engel had to carefully manage the car’s energy flow, especially given the 20-kilometre-plus length of the track. Using the car’s advanced Energy Flow Control system, Engel balanced the deployment and recovery of electrical energy, ensuring that he had enough power for the entire lap. This strategic use of energy recovery, coupled with precise driving, allowed Engel to shave crucial seconds off his previous record.
Unleashing the Full Potential
To achieve his record-breaking performance, Engel drove the AMG ONE in its most extreme configuration, using the “Race Plus” mode. This setting maximizes the car’s aerodynamics, lowers the chassis, and tightens the suspension to ensure the sharpest handling possible. The car’s Drag Reduction System (DRS) also played a crucial role, reducing aerodynamic drag on the straight sections of the track while increasing downforce in the corners.
What’s more, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO tires, specially developed for the AMG ONE, helped the car grip the tarmac with unrelenting force. With everything dialed in perfectly, Engel was able to extract the full potential of the hypercar.
The Future of Performance
The Mercedes-AMG ONE is more than just a production car—it’s a glimpse into the future of high-performance vehicles. By blending Formula 1 technology with real-world driving capabilities, AMG has created a machine that not only breaks records but redefines what’s possible in automotive engineering.
But Engel’s record-setting performance isn’t just about numbers; it’s about proving that a street-legal car can achieve what was once thought impossible. By breaking the 6:30 barrier on the world’s most demanding track, Mercedes-AMG has shown that the boundaries of performance, much like the limits of the Nordschleife, are meant to be pushed, and then pushed again.
As the automotive world waits to see who or what will challenge this new record, one thing is clear: the Mercedes-AMG ONE has raised the bar for hypercars everywhere. And for Engel and the team behind the car, the quest for speed is far from over.
With its unrivaled blend of power, precision, and cutting-edge technology, the Mercedes-AMG ONE stands as a symbol of the future of performance vehicles—a future where the line between racetrack and road continues to blur.
