Mercedes-AMG hypercar takes shape

In the midst of extolling its new-age touchy-feely and autonomous tech at the 2017 CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, Mercedes-Benz has showed a new image of the forthcoming AMG hypercar, just to remind us it remains committed to performance cars and driving.

No additional details about the car were revealed, but we did get the first look at a sketch of the rear-end overnight, to go with the side-on rendering unveiled at the Paris motor show last year, showing the AMG hypercar's motorsport-inspired silhouette.

The hypercar, which is expected on-sale in 2018, will be propelled by the powertrain from the all-conquering Mercedes AMG F1 program, including the 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 petrol-electric drivetrain and two forms of an energy recovery system.

The mid-mounted powertrain is expected to pump out around 750kW.

"The guys at AMG they have their own interpretation in their 50th anniversary, which is in this year 2017," new Mercedes-Benz R&D chef Ola Kallenius told media at a CES briefing this morning as he showed the image.

"The hypercar actually puts Formula One technology on the road … through this hypercar they are giving themselves and their AMG customers as a 50th anniversary present.

"That also demonstrates in this particular case that electric propulsion with very sophisticated combustion … can be attractive."

Kallenius also took the opportunity at his presentation to reaffirm Benz's commitment to petrol engines for the foreseeable future, as well developing electric vehicles or EVs via its new EQ brand.

"It (the combustion engine) will remain important for many years to come," Kallenius said.

The former AMG boss said the new generation inline six-cylinder petrol engine that debuts with the updated S-class in 2017 "kicks ass".

"When I drove this engine I almost admitted we don't need a V8, but I came to my senses and didn't say that," he laughed.