Photo: Daimler AG
Hands down, the most impressive premiere at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show is the first hypercar from Mercedes-AMG. But the Project One is just a drop in the bucket, with the German manufacturer already looking at what lies ahead.
It’s preposterous to think so far ahead in the future, but Mercedes-AMG isn’t the undisputed winning team in Formula 1 out of luck. Careful planning and sustained development efforts lead to competitiveness, and the Affalterbach-based performance division plans to emulate the model for its road cars.
Despite the fact the Project One is 18 months away from the first example reaching its rightful owner, Mercedes-AMG is pondering what’s next after the Formula 1-inspired hypercar. To this effect, head honcho Dieter Zetsche says that Formula E has a critical influence on the Project One’s successor.
Speaking to Auto Express, Daimler’s chairman of the board commented that “it’s not an accident that by 2020 we will start in Formula E, which at that point in time is more a PR and marketing platform.” Dr. Zetsche added: “But when we enter, we want to contribute to the face that this will become more and more a sporting platform, with real, hard competition, so the answer is yes.” Yes, the man who rocks a mustache refers to electrification.
Zetsche told the motoring publication that his company has already thought about how Merc will go from 48-volt electric system to mild hybrid, then plug-in hybrid to full electric. In other words, there’s a chance the replacement of the Project One will rock down to Electric Avenue with electric power.
Auto Express believes the newcomer will come by 2025, citing that Daimler targets a quarter of its sales to be all-electric. As for the interest Mercedes-AMG has in Formula E, such a move represents the natural course of things.
As a brief refresher, Formula 1 is in for big changes for the 2021 season. One of those changes is the arrival of new engine suppliers, with some reports suggesting that names like Cosworth and Porsche will be joining the fray.
Despite the fact the Project One is 18 months away from the first example reaching its rightful owner, Mercedes-AMG is pondering what’s next after the Formula 1-inspired hypercar. To this effect, head honcho Dieter Zetsche says that Formula E has a critical influence on the Project One’s successor.
Speaking to Auto Express, Daimler’s chairman of the board commented that “it’s not an accident that by 2020 we will start in Formula E, which at that point in time is more a PR and marketing platform.” Dr. Zetsche added: “But when we enter, we want to contribute to the face that this will become more and more a sporting platform, with real, hard competition, so the answer is yes.” Yes, the man who rocks a mustache refers to electrification.
Zetsche told the motoring publication that his company has already thought about how Merc will go from 48-volt electric system to mild hybrid, then plug-in hybrid to full electric. In other words, there’s a chance the replacement of the Project One will rock down to Electric Avenue with electric power.
Auto Express believes the newcomer will come by 2025, citing that Daimler targets a quarter of its sales to be all-electric. As for the interest Mercedes-AMG has in Formula E, such a move represents the natural course of things.
As a brief refresher, Formula 1 is in for big changes for the 2021 season. One of those changes is the arrival of new engine suppliers, with some reports suggesting that names like Cosworth and Porsche will be joining the fray.
Google News