Mercedes-AMG has admitted that the launch of the One hypercar has been delayed by almost a year. Initially scheduled to launch in 2019, Mercedes-AMG chief Tobias Moers now estimates the launch to take place sometime in mid-to-late 2020, owing to delays tied into the development of the hypercar’s Formula One-derived engine. Mercedes-AMG is currently working with its High-Performance Powertrains (HPP) division to address the issues.

It’s not at all surprising to hear delays tied into the development of the Mercedes-AMG One hypercar. With the amount of technology it’s supposed to use and carry, it would’ve been surprising if the AMG One’s development happened without any problems and delays. Saying that development of the hypercar is complicated is a massive understatement, and now, we’re starting to understand why.

AMG boss Tobias Moers gave an update on the AMG One’s timetable in a conversation with Top Gear. “We have a delay; it’s not a secret,” Moers said. “There were some adjustments to be made on the powertrain.”

When pressed on what those adjustments are, Moers pointed to a stable idle as one particular challenge that’s taking longer than expected to address. The specific issue points to the One’s 1.6-turbocharged V-6 engine, which typically idles at 5,000 rpm in the F1 race cars. That level of idle isn’t suitable in the One since it’s a road car. The challenge is to get the idle down at 1,200 rpm while still meeting emissions regulations. “You have leakage in the throttles in Formula 1, and nobody cares, because it runs at a 5,000-rpm idle,” Moers explained. “At a 1,200-rpm idle, you have to meet the emissions regulations. You need a stable, proper idle. If it’s unstable, your emissions are unstable.

Despite the challenges, Moers is confident that the issues will be addressed. His team at AMG are working in concert with Mercedes-AMG High-Performance Powertrains (HPP) to find a solution that can work for the One hypercar. As it is, HPP is the division that develops and builds the Mercedes-AMG F1 team’s engines, and it’s no secret that it’s been instrumental in the development of the One hypercar.

Even with the delays, Moers also mentioned that the One’s customers aren’t sweating the delays. That’s a great way of putting it, especially when it comes to a hypercar that Moers said “sounds like an F1 car” and “feel like a GT3 race car in fast forward.”

In addition to what’s been mentioned about the One, Moers also confirmed that the hypercar has an 11,000-rpm redline, a top speed of 217 mph, and an engine life of 50,000 kilometers (31,000 miles) before it needs to be rebuilt.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2020 Mercedes-AMG Project One.

Everything We Know About the Mercedes-AMG Project One