In the world of hypercars, certain moments stand out as milestones that redefine automotive performance and engineering. One such moment occurred recently at the unveiling of Charlotte’s Ten Tenths Circuit, where a car unlike any other made its American debut—the Mercedes-AMG One. This remarkable vehicle, owned by none other than Rick Hendrick, marks the first instance of the AMG One gracing U.S. soil. It wasn’t just another hypercar, but a direct descendant of Formula 1 technology designed to bring the pinnacle of motorsport to public roads.
The significance of this event transcends the car itself. The Mercedes-AMG One is not only a marvel of engineering, but it also signifies the ambitions of both Hendrick and his partners in the Ten Tenths project. As they revealed the Ten Tenths Circuit, Hendrick and Marcus Smith, the CEO of Speedway Motorsports, showcased a venue that would serve not only for enthusiasts but as a playground for their own elite automotive collections.
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The Ten Tenths Circuit: A Stage Fit for Legends
The backdrop for this extraordinary reveal was the debut of the Ten Tenths Circuit, a new road course in Charlotte designed with one goal in mind—pushing high-performance cars to their limits. Hendrick and Smith are no strangers to the world of motorsports. Their combined expertise and passion for speed made this project more than just a business venture; it became a personal endeavor. They sought to build a place where they and other enthusiasts could drive their collections of rare and powerful machines in a controlled and exhilarating environment.
The name “Ten Tenths” is a reference to driving at the absolute limit, an apt description for the type of driving Hendrick and Smith envisioned for the track. As Smith humorously quipped, the cars he brought along, including a Ford GT, were just “the Rick Hendrick starter pack.” But Hendrick’s collection was no joke, with an estimated $35 million worth of automotive excellence on display, including a McLaren Senna GTR, a Ferrari Daytona SP3, a Porsche 918 Spyder, and, of course, the AMG One.
While any of these cars would have been worthy of the spotlight, it was the Mercedes-AMG One that truly captured the imagination of all in attendance. The One, bearing Hendrick’s personal “H One” license plate, was the undisputed star of the show.
O, otomobil endüstrisinin zirvesi! ⭐️#Mercedes AMG Project One 🥹
🎥 | jordantsanford pic.twitter.com/sE43r4jfXL
— Club Regista Entertainment (@RegistaEnt) October 12, 2024
What Makes the Mercedes-AMG One Special?
At first glance, the Mercedes-AMG One may appear to be just another hypercar in a growing list of multi-million-dollar machines designed to break records and turn heads. But a deeper look reveals that this car is different—fundamentally different. The AMG One represents the closest anyone has ever come to putting a Formula 1 car on the road.
The heart of the AMG One is its hybrid powertrain, centered around a 1.6-liter V6 engine that has been directly adapted from Mercedes’ Formula 1 race car. This is not an exaggeration. The AMG One’s engine uses technology lifted from F1, including pneumatic valve actuation and an electric turbocharger. These innovations enable the engine to reach an astounding 11,000 RPM, far higher than most road-going sports cars could ever dream of. Combined with three electric motors, the car produces a staggering total output of 1049 horsepower.
But the power is just one part of the equation. The AMG One is built using cutting-edge aerodynamics and lightweight materials, ensuring that every ounce of that power can be used efficiently. The car’s chassis is made almost entirely of carbon fiber, keeping the weight down while maximizing strength. Its advanced suspension and active aerodynamics make it just as capable on a winding track as it is on a straightaway.
This focus on performance was evident when the AMG One set a lap time at the Nürburgring of just 6 minutes and 29 seconds, breaking its own record. For context, the Nürburgring is widely considered one of the most challenging racetracks in the world, and the AMG One’s performance there solidified its status as one of the fastest road cars ever built.
Bridging the Gap Between Track and Road
The AMG One’s technological achievements raise an important question: Why build a car like this in the first place? After all, most hypercar owners will never come close to driving their vehicles to their full potential, let alone at 11,000 RPM on a race track. The answer lies in Mercedes-AMG’s philosophy of pushing boundaries. The AMG One is not just a car for the road; it’s a demonstration of what is possible when the most advanced motorsport technology is applied to a road-legal vehicle.
For decades, automakers have borrowed from motorsport to improve their road cars. Advances in aerodynamics, suspension, and engine efficiency often trickle down from the race track to the showroom. However, the AMG One is different in that it brings the technology directly to the consumer in its purest form. Mercedes-AMG did not compromise when adapting the F1 engine for road use; they simply found a way to make it work. The result is a car that offers a driving experience unlike anything else on the market.
The AMG One is part of a growing trend among hypercar manufacturers to push the envelope of what a road car can do. Other brands, such as Ferrari with its SF90 Stradale and Aston Martin with its Valkyrie, have also embraced hybrid powertrains and motorsport-derived technology. However, the AMG One goes further by delivering a level of performance that, until now, was reserved for the highest level of racing.
The Cultural Significance of the Mercedes-AMG One
Beyond the technical marvel that the AMG One represents, its arrival in the U.S. carries cultural significance as well. In a country where car culture is deeply ingrained, hypercars like the AMG One are symbols of status, achievement, and technological prowess. But they are also a reminder of the relentless pursuit of excellence that drives both the automotive industry and the people who shape it.
Rick Hendrick’s ownership of the first AMG One in the U.S. is fitting, given his status as one of the most successful team owners in NASCAR history. His love for cars goes beyond racing, as evidenced by his extensive collection of high-performance and rare vehicles. Hendrick’s partnership with Marcus Smith in the Ten Tenths project further demonstrates his dedication to the culture of speed and performance, and the AMG One is a natural extension of that passion.
The car’s presence at the Ten Tenths Circuit event also speaks to the role of hypercars in modern car culture. These vehicles, while often seen as unattainable dream machines, inspire innovation across the entire industry. The AMG One, with its F1-derived technology, could influence future generations of more affordable sports cars and even mainstream vehicles. As hybrid technology becomes more prevalent, the lessons learned from building a car like the AMG One will help automakers develop more efficient, powerful, and environmentally friendly vehicles for the average driver.
