Launch Party - 2017 Mercedes-AMG Project ONE [51 Photos] » CAR SHOPPING

We shouyld have taken Mercedes more seriously when they said their new hypercar concept would be an F1 car for the road. The cliche is so tired as to barely raise an eyebrow in 2017.

But here we are: with a screaming 1.6-liter V6 turbocharged beyond all sense to deliver its 1000 ponies. And electrified with a bombastic KERS hybrid system.

The looks are right off a racetrack and promise a car vastly less practical than any 911, but much more than most racecars. A deep, McLaren-style door opening brings the entire lower sill up and away from the bodywork for easy ingress and egress. A nose honed by the wind tunnel makes first impressions challenging when judging for beauty. Functionality here more than brand passion up front. [Actually, the in-person photos prove a slashed-up swirl of intakes that is sexy and unique.]

This machine shares some actual family resemblance to the 1989 LeMans-winning C9 racecar, and the C111-4 to a certain extent as well.

The slippery profile and flick-spoilered rear end are more charming indeed.

Here are 50 photos of the machine from Frankfurt. This car today is officially a concept, but only in name really. A limited production run starting almost immediately is a sure thing.

2017 Mercedes-AMG Project ONE

Mercedes-Benz Media Night am Vorabend der IAA Frankfurt 2017

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Daimler AG und Leiter Mercedes-Benz Cars, und der dreifache Formel 1-Weltmeister Lewis Hamilton stellen am Vorabend der IAA das Showcar Mercedes-AMG Project ONE vor. Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, and the three-time world champion of the Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton, present the show car Mercedes-AMG Project ONE during the eve of the IAA.

Showcar Mercedes-AMG Project ONE, zweisitziger Supersportwagen-mit modernster und effizientester Formel 1-Hybrid-Technologie, High Performance Plug-in Hybrid Antriebsstrang mit 1,6-Liter-V6-Turbobenzinmotor und vier Elektromotoren Showcar Mercedes-AMG Project ONE, two-seater supersports car with the very latest and efficient, fully-fledged Formula 1 hybrid technology, high-performance plug-in hybrid drive system with 1.6 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged petrol engine and four electric motors

Der smart vision EQ fortwo und das Showcar Mercedes-AMG Project ONE feiern ihre Weltpremiere auf der IAA in Franfurt. The smart vision EQ fortwo and the Showcar Mercedes-AMG Project ONE celebrating their world premiere at the International Auto Show (IAA) at Frankfurt.

Weltpremiere des smart vision EQ fortwo auf der IAA in Frankfurt. World premiere of the smart vision EQ fortwo at the International Auto Show (IAA) in Frankfurt.

Der smart vision EQ fortwo und das Showcar Mercedes-AMG Project ONE feiern ihre Weltpremiere auf der IAA in Franfurt. Ola Källenius, Dieter Zetsche, Lewis Hamilton, Britta Seeger The smart vision EQ fortwo and the Showcar Mercedes-AMG Project ONE celebrating their world premiere at the International Auto Show (IAA) at Frankfurt. Ola Källenius, Dieter Zetsche, Lewis Hamilton, Britta Seeger

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Daimler AG und Leiter Mercedes-Benz Cars, mit zwei außergewöhnlichen Konzeptfahrzeugen: dem Showcar Mercedes-AMG Project ONE und dem smart vision EQ fortwo. Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, with two extraordinary concept vehicles: the showcar Mercedes-AMG Project ONE and the smart vision EQ fortwo.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Daimler AG und Leiter Mercedes-Benz Cars, präsentiert das Showcar Mercedes-AMG Project ONE am Vorabend der IAA. Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, presents the show car Mercedes-AMG Project ONE on the eve of the IAA.

Mercedes-Benz Media Night am Vorabend der IAA Frankfurt 2017 Mercedes-Benz Media Night on the eve of the Frankfurt International Autoshow (IAA) 2017

Mit dem smart vision EQ fortwo zeigt Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Daimler AG und Leiter Mercedes-Benz Cars, am Vorabend der IAA eine elektrische und autonome Lösung für einen hocheffizienten und flexiblen Nahverkehr. With the smart vision EQ fortwo, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, demonstrates on the eve of the IAA an electric and f autonomous solution for a highly efficient and flexible local public transport.

Weltpremiere des smart vision EQ fortwo auf der IAA in Frankfurt. World premiere of the smart vision EQ fortwo at the International Auto Show (IAA) in Frankfurt.

Weltpremiere Showcar Mercedes-AMG Project ONE: Mercedes-AMG bringt Formel 1-Technologie für die Straße

Mercedes-Benz Media Night am Vorabend der IAA Frankfurt 2017 Mercedes-Benz Media Night on the eve of the Frankfurt International Autoshow (IAA) 2017

Tom Burkart

Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.

He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.

Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.