Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar locked in for 2022 debut

The Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar will finally enter production in the middle of next year, with deliveries set to begin before the end of 2022.

According to Autocar, customers who have ordered one of the 275 746kW-plus hypercars have all received written confirmation that production of the very first batch of the Mercedes-AMG ONE will commence from mid-2022.

As already revealed exclusively by carsales, the AMG hypercar has been hit with various delays related to the introduction of the stricter WLTP emissions regulations during its development and was described as a "technical miracle" by Mercedes-AMG chief technical officer Jochen Hermann.

The ONE harnesses the power of four electric motors and a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol V6 that's closely based on the 2016 Formula 1 world championship-winning engine.

Some of the biggest issues have reportedly concerned the combustion engine's cold-weather emissions performance, plus adapting it to idle at 1200rpm. Originally, F1 engines idle at a far higher 5000rpm.

Capable of operating in EV mode for up to 26km, the original 2017 concept was claimed to be able to accelerate from 0-200km/h in less than six seconds and achieve a top speed of more than 350km/h.

Mercedes-AMG originally said the 1.6-litre DOHC V6 would require a full rebuild every 50,000km, but recent changes to the engine have reduced its rev limit from 11,000rpm to improve its durability and extend its service life.

Performance details are still under wraps, but an advanced aero package promises to enhance its abilities on track while keeping it stable at its 350km/h top speed.

It's believed the ONE will attempt to set a new outright lap record at the Nurburgring that will coincide with its launch.

Of the 275 examples to be built, at least eight of the game-changing AMGs have been sold to Australian customers, who have paid close to $5 million each.

Despite all the delays and challenges of wrangling the hybrid powertrain to become a production reality, Mercedes-AMG's chief technical officer said in the carsales interview that the ONE had "not killed the appetite for another AMG hypercar" and that a sequel is on the way.