Mercedes-AMG One has been the fastest production vehicle at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife since October 2022 with a lap time of 6:35.183. Two years after the record, the automaker returned to the Green Hell striking an even better lap time of 6.29.090 with the same car and the same driver.
Mercedes-AMG One Breaks Its Own Record At The Nurburgring
The Mercedes-AMG One has been the fastest production vehicle at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife since October 2022 with a lap time of 6:35.183. Two years after the record, the automaker returned to the Green Hell and beat its own record with an even better lap time of 6.29.090.
The electrified hypercar with F1-derived technology was driver by DTM driver Maro Engel, who managed to improve his lap time by over five seconds. This makes the AMG One the first production vehicle to break the 6:30 minute barrier on the famous track, getting well into racecar territory.
The new record run took place on September 23, 2024, at 6:56 pm. The track was completely dry, with an air temperature of 15°C (59°F) and an asphalt temperature of 20°C (68°F).
Maro Engel revealed that the conditions in his original record attempt in 2022 were not ideal, as some sections of the track were “still a little damp”. The racing driver who is also an ambassador for the brand said that the new record demonstrated the “maximum potential” of the AMG One, and thanked the whole team for their collaborative effort.
The Mercedes-AMG One record car featured the “maximum camber values within the delivery tolerance”, and was in the “Race Plus” drive mode which is better suited for the track. This mode lowers the front axle by 37 mm (1.5 inches) and the rear axle by 30 mm (1.2 inches), while taking advantage of the active aerodynamics and unleashing the full 1,049 hp (782 kW / 1,063 PS) of power from the 1.6-liter turbo V6 engine and the quad electric motors.
The driver made clever use of the Drag Reduction System (DRS) and squeezed the hybrid system’s battery pack in the most efficient way possible, following practice runs on simulators. The hypercar rode on the standard-fit Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R MO tires specifically developed for the AMG One.
Time will show if any other hypercar makers will challenge Mercedes-AMG’s record at the Green Hell. The rival Aston Martin Valkyrie has yet to make an official attempt, despite entering production in late 2021. Other contestants could be the Koenigsegg Jesko Attack, the Czinger 21C, and the upcoming McLaren W1.