Mercedes' F1-powered Project One car hits the road

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The sound of a hypercar powered by a hybrid F1 engine on a country backroad woke up more than the local wildlife recently.

Mercedes has been putting its revolutionary Project One machine through its paces and the inevitable 'spy shots' of the beast have immerged, although likely with a little teasing help from the German manufacturer.

Mercedes showcased the Project One at last year's Frankfurt motor show, but after hundreds of hours of virtual testing, the car has now hit the road with several prototype powered by Brixworth's 1.6 litre turbocharged and direct-injected V6 sourced directly from the Silver Arrows team's F1 car.

Ahead of the machine's limited 275-example commercialisation, Mercedes has made it contractually clear to prospective buyers that they won't be allowed to flip the car for an outrageous profit, à la Ford GT.

The Project One's price tag you ask? A cool $2.7 million, not a penny less.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.