There is a new best time at the Nürburgring after the Mercedes-AMG ONE just set a record-breaking lap time of 6:29.09 around the Green Hell. There’s just one problem with this new record: Mercedes took the title from itself. Around the 12.944-mile (20.832-kilometer) track in Germany, the AMG ONE managed to beat its previous record of 6:35.183 by over five full seconds, making it the first production car to ever complete a lap in under 6:30.
“We’ve held the record for road vehicles for almost two years now. But at AMG, we always want to push the boundaries of what is possible to the maximum or even push them a little further. That’s why we have once again demonstrated what is possible with the unique AMG One. The entire team has been rewarded for its efforts and commitment. I’m proud of this determined team effort and of this fantastic record time. Once again, we’ve impressively demonstrated the spirit and expertise of AMG.”
– Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑AMG GmbH and Head of the Mercedes‑Benz G‑Class & Mercedes‑Maybach divisions.
Improving On A Record
Even on a long track like the Nürburgring, finding a full five seconds is no simple task. Mercedes says the weather is partially responsible for helping the F1-derived hypercar achieve a faster lap time at the hands of DTM driver and Mercedes-AMG brand ambassador, Maro Engel. On September 23, 2024, Engel broke the record with his third timed lap. Conditions were dry with cool temperatures of 58 degrees Fahrenheit (air) and 68 degrees (asphalt).
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“Two years ago, the conditions were not ideal, and some sections of the track were still a little damp. We knew we could do more, and we wanted to show that. Today we were able to demonstrate the maximum potential of the AMG ONE. Many thanks to the whole team from Affalterbach for the trust they’ve placed in me. It was a great pleasure and honor to be able to drive this record lap with such a unique car,” said Engel. Interestingly, a change to the curb at the Foxhole curve means that lightly cutting the corner is no longer possible. Engel says that an improved track surface in this area helps to compensate for the slightly longer line that must now be taken.
Formula 1 Technology
Due to the unique F1-inspired powertrain, lapping the hypercar around a longer track is a fairly tricky process. The car features a 1.6-liter V6 that’s inspired by an F1 engine, and failing to start it properly will actually brick the entire car. An E Performance hybrid system produces 1,049 total horsepower with a 218-mph top speed, but Engel needed to decide when to deploy the energy using the car’s four-stage Energy Flow Control (EFC) system.
Using a simulator in Affalterbach, Engel and the AMG team figured out that to achieve the quickest possible time, he needed to take his foot off the throttle slightly earlier to capture more energy. The car was set in its “Race Plus” drive program, lowering the suspension by a whopping 1.5 inches at the front and 1.2 inches at the rear. Engel also deployed the Drag Reduction System (DRS) on the fastest parts of the Nürburgring. This is a highly impressive record for Mercedes-AMG, but like most records, we doubt it will stand forever.
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