Bad News: Mercedes-AMG One Hypercar Not Coming To USA

After a painfully long wait, Mercedes finally took the covers off the production version of the AMG One hypercar this week. Everything we hoped for and then some, even Mercedes itself admitted that the idea to move forward with the AMG One was a drunken mistake - that's how challenging it was to make a road-legal car with a Formula One engine.

Although we know that all 275 examples of the hypercar have already been sold, we've been eagerly anticipating production of the One and the chance to see it on American roads. Sadly, this won't be happening because of local regulations that have made bringing the car here impossible.

In an email sent to CarBuzz, and to AMG One customers in the US earlier today Mercedes said: "The AMG One was developed with a single goal in mind - a direct technology transfer of the World Championship winning Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 E Performance drive unit - conceived for the road. The adaption of a complete Formula 1 drive unit in a road car is unprecedented. With 1,000+ horsepower, four electric motors, and a blistering top speed of more than 217 mph, every component of the AMG One has been designed to redefine high performance."

It's the second part of Merc's email that specifically addresses its exclusion from the United States: "While its engine has its origins in competition, constant development and refinement have left us with a difficult decision for the US market. In order to preserve the unique character of its Formula 1 powertrain, we have concluded that meeting US road standards would significantly compromise its performance and its overall driving character. We have taken the strategic decision to offer the car for road usage in Europe, where it meets applicable regulations."

This is especially disappointing as this is likely the first and last time that Mercedes-AMG will build a hypercar with an internal combustion engine. While it is technically possible to import the AMG One via a specific exemption law, it won't be easy to do.

You can blame the AMG One's wondrous hybrid powertrain for it being barred from US roads. The combination of a 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 and four electric motors generates a combined 1,049 horsepower, sufficient for a 0-62 mph time of under three seconds and a top speed of just over 218 mph; it's quicker than an AMG Black Series which uses AMG's finest V8. The V6 can rev all the way up to 11,000 rpm, setting it apart from just about every other road-car engine.

Mercedes-AMG had to make many modifications to meet current emissions standards, but it has eventually pulled off what seemed like an impossible undertaking. Regrettably, we'll have to appreciate Merc's hypercar from afar, and it joins the far humbler Toyota GR Yaris as one of the top cars we yearn to see on local roads.