What's the news?
An interesting thought from Mercedes-AMG, today. According to the company, testing of it's not-so-secret Project One hypercar is proving hard to keep a secret. "It turns out to be more difficult to keep this testing confidential: the camouflaged prototypes of the Mercedes-AMG hypercar are still being driven on closed off test grounds and racetracks. However, because of their characteristic F1 sound they are hard to keep from the public" said a statement from Mercedes-AMG.
Now, this is a little curious, not least because accompanying the release in which that line appeared were several photographs of a Project One, in camouflage tape, carrying out testing. Mercedes says that the cars have been "driving around unnoticed on a secret test ground in England" but the photos were clearly taken at that secret test ground. Which, as is immediately obvious from the photos, obvious to anyone who's (a) been there, (b) knows anything about the workings of the motor industry, or (c) has watched the Making Of video for the Bond film Casino Royale, is Millbrook Proving Ground. In Bedfordshire. Just off Station Lane, Turn left off the A507 after Centre Parcs Woburn Forest.
You see, Mercedes-AMG, it's a bit tricky to keep your testing secret when you've already shown off how the car looks in real life, you've been shouting from the rooftops how it's powered by the same engine and hybrid system as Lewis' and Valtteri's Sunday driver, and you're releasing 'spy' snaps of its testing in a really obvious spot.
Ah well, at least it gives us a little taster of the circa 1,000hp, 1,300kg, 354km/h monster. With its projected 2.5 second 0-100km/h time. Its four electric motors. Its 11,000rpm redline. And its 50,000km engine rebuild schedule. But keep it a secret, eh?