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Mercedes-AMG working on F1-engined 'hypercar'

Mercedes said on Wednesday that it was working on a new 'hyper' to be introduced in about 2.5 years that will use the manufacturer's current F1 drivetrain.

The project, spearheaded by Mercedes' AMG subsidiary, was revealed at the Paris Auto Show with R&D chief Thomas Weber on hand to offer some very limited details.

"Tonight, I am happy to confirm that we are going to create an AMG performance hybrid featuring our Formula 1 drivetrain technology," Weber said.

"It will be the most efficient and, at the same time, the best-performing and most spectacular AMG of all time. Some may even call it a hypercar. In the past Formula one cars and road cars were separate. Now these are moving closer together."

Tobias Moers, Chief Executive of Mercedes-AMG, told Reuters that the car would have in excess of 1,000 horsepower and would be made of carbon fiber.

No details of hypercar's esthetics were revealed with the exception of a stunning aero-led artist's rendering.

While the project appears groundbreaking, it may not hit the streets in time to beat another F1-spec road car which is in the works, the V12 Aston Martin-Red Bull 001 created by design guru Adrian Newey.

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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.