AMG ONE Makes History: First Car to Lap the 'Ring in Under 6:30

Since the AMG ONE’s initial record-setting lap, there wasn’t much obvious competition gunning for the road car crown. But, Mercedes knew the car had more to give, and the result was a blistering lap completed in 6 minutes and 29 seconds — further cementing the AMG ONE the title of fastest street-legal road car.

This is not the first instance of a manufacturer breaking their own record. Just a short time ago, Koenigsegg managed to break their own record. Is top trumping themselves a new manufacturer trend of the year?

As with any lap record attempt, the perfect conditions were crucial. On the day of the run, ambient temperatures sat at 15°C, with the asphalt measuring a toasty 20°C — providing optimal levels of grip for the car to work its magic.

But even with perfect conditions, it wasn’t a walk in the park. Behind the wheel again was Maro Engel, who’s biggest challenge was ensuring he had enough electrical energy from the hybrid system at the key points around the track. To keep the batteries topped up, Engel had to use the “lift and coast” technique — briefly lifting off the throttle before braking into corners to let the car harvest kinetic energy and recharge on the go.

Much of the chatter around the AMG ONE has centred on its powertrain, and rightly so — it’s derived from Mercedes’ 2016 F1 car. Nestled in the back of the AMG ONE is a 1.6-litre turbocharged V6, paired with four electric motors to produce a total of 1,048 bhp, giving the car a top speed of 219 mph. The electric motors are strategically positioned: one integrated into the turbocharger, one paired with the engine, and two on the front axle.

The turbo motor is an engineering marvel in itself. It helps the turbo spin up to 100,000 rpm before the exhaust gases take over — an F1-inspired piece of tech that ensures the engine remains responsive, even when cold. The beauty of this setup? Even when you lift off the throttle, there’s no need to wait for the turbo to spool up again — it never stops spinning. As a bonus, the turbo can act as a generator, sending energy back to the lithium-ion battery, the front axle, or the motor paired with the engine.

The front axle motors add even more tricks to the AMG ONE’s arsenal. Not only do they create a four-wheel-drive system, but because each front wheel has its own motor, torque can be distributed to whichever wheel has the most grip, enabling torque vectoring. These motors also regenerate up to 80% of the energy from braking, which is sent back into the battery for an extra shot of electric power when you need it.

Of course, some tweaks were necessary to ensure the engine's durability for road use. The most significant change? Lowering the engine’s redline. Letting the V6 rev to the same stratospheric limits as the F1 car would mean that after a quick run to the shops, you’d need to book it in for a service. Don’t worry, though — you’ve still got 11,000 rpm to play with!

The AMG ONE’s F1 connection doesn’t stop at the engine. The carbon monocoque and the way the engine and transmission are used as stressed members of the chassis are all straight out of Formula 1. And, as you might expect, Mercedes didn’t forget to throw in one of F1’s most innovative features — the Drag Reduction System (DRS).

For the record-breaking lap, the car was set to “Race Plus” mode, its most track-focused setting. In this mode, the AMG ONE drops by 37mm at the front and 30mm at the rear. Along with the ride height, the car’s active aero is set to maximum attack, and the chassis stiffens for sharper handling. It was in this mode that Engel learned how to make the most of DRS, fine-tuning his use of it during his second lap to help shave off those crucial five seconds.

Now, let’s slow things down a bit. Since it’s a hybrid, we must mention the AMG ONE’s electric range. On pure electric power, you can drive it for a grand total of…11.2 miles. Not exactly groundbreaking, but let's face it, you're not buying the AMG ONE for its green credentials.

Recently, I’ve been rather harsh with some of Mercedes’ more luxurious offerings — just look at my Maybach SL piece if you need proof. But I can’t apply the same treatment here. A sub-six-and-a-half-minute lap of the Nürburgring is a monumental achievement that deserves respect. Hats off to Mercedes — you’ve truly outdone yourselves.