PARIS -- Mercedes-Benz's AMG performance arm will build a hybrid supercar that uses Formula One technology, the automaker's r&d boss said Wednesday on the eve of the auto show here.
"It will be the most efficient, best-performing AMG of all time. Some would call it a hypercar," Mercedes board member for development Thomas Weber told journalists at an event held ahead of the show, which started today.
"It will show the future direction of our performance brand," Weber added.
Mercedes displayed a line drawing of the car on Tuesday that shows a cab-forward design, which is in sharp contrast to the long hood found on the front-engine Mercedes-AMG GT. No additional details, such as a possible launch date, were given about the new car.
In launching its own hypercar, Mercedes would join F1 rivals Ferrari and McLaren in offering an ultimate performance road car using hybrid technology. Ferrari did so with the LaFerrari and McLaren's offering was the P1. Both vehicles cost more than $1 million.
Another F1 competitor, Red Bull, said it would build a hypercar with partner Aston Martin, although that car won't be a hybrid. Red Bull and Aston Martin say their V-12 powered AM-RB 001 will arrive in 2019. The car will cost between 2 million and 3 million pounds ($2.6 million to $3.9 million), the partners said. Mercedes' hypercar could cost a lot more if it equips the car with a version of the engine used in its F1 cars.
