A floating Mercedes-AMG Project ONE.
Mercedes-AMG and Cigarette Racing are showing the latest iteration of toys for the rich from the Miami-based boat manufacturer at the Miami Boat (Boast?) show that just opened. Designed from the sea bottom up using the “latest technology,” the Cigarette Racing 515 Project ONE is a brand extension of the highly promoted Mercedes-AMG Project ONE two-seat concept show car.
Thus, experiential marketing with borrowed interest from other product categories continues. Just bring money. This one will sell well North of $1,000,000. (Glub? Aston Martin Going into Submarine Business!)
This is the ninth special edition boat created from this partnership, the Cigarette Racing 515 Project ONE is 51’ 5” in length and features an increased beam of 9’ 6” which allows 6 passengers the ability to be seated. The new boat offers an increase of over 30% greater surface area when compared to the existing 50’ Marauder, while still providing similar performance and a 140-mph top speed using a composite structure consisting of carbon-fiber, Kevlar and E-glass.
The boat’s deck is constructed completely of carbon fiber to reduce the total weight and lower the center mass of the boat. Carbon Fiber is also used for the inner structural laminate of the hull, forward bulkheads, cabin liner, engine hatch, consoles and storage hatches to significantly reduce the overall weight. The air intakes, which are over 7 ft long and 14 inches wide, weigh only 4.4lbs.
Overall, the weight optimized Cigarette Racing 515 Project ONE is over ten feet longer than the Cigarette Racing 41’ SD GT3 but it is more than 5,000-lbs lighter. Kevlar has also been used for tabbing bulkheads and around the edges of framing for its extreme toughness properties.
“For 11 years, Cigarette Racing has been our trusted partner that has allowed us to extend our likeminded core performance principles from the land to the water,” said Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. “By directly translating Formula 1 technology from the track to the street, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is our most ambitious and awe-inspiring vehicle yet.
The Cigarette Racing Team 515 Project ONE is powered by a pair of Mercury Racing 1,350/1,550 QC4v (Quad Cam 4 Valve) engines and M8 stern drives, delivering up to 3,100 hp. These sophisticated powerplants are dual calibration engines, which enable the operator to switch engine power levels through an electronic key fob. The Race Key fob unlocks up to 1,550 hp, requiring racing fuel, though. The Pleasure key fob is used for operating at 1,350 hp with 91 octane fuels. A staggered engine configuration lowers the center of gravity by allowing the motors to be placed closer to one another, deeper in the vee of the boat, which improves dynamics and stability.
Mercedes-AMG Project ONE
The 515 Project ONE is a brand extension from the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE, a two-seater supersports show car that will bring the very latest and Formula 1 hybrid technology from the race track to the road. This mid-engine (ahead of the rear axle) high-performance hybrid show car will have more than 1,000 hp, offer a top speed beyond 217 mph (350 km/h) and reach 11,000 rpm, which is currently unique for any road going vehicle.
It’s claimed the Project ONE will combine outstanding racetrack performance and road capable Formula 1 hybrid technology with “exemplary efficiency.” The 1.6-liter V6 hybrid gasoline engine with direct injection and electrically assisted single turbocharging will transfer directly from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 racing car. The high-performance plug-in hybrid drive system will come directly from Formula 1 and will be developed with the motorsport expertise of Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains in Brixworth, England.
Mercedes-AMG and Cigarette Racing began their collaboration partnership in 2007, primarily for organizing joint customer and marketing activities. Whether on land or water, Mercedes-AMG and Cigarette Racing are trying to provide the ultimate in performance machines.
For additional information on Cigarette Racing, please visit www.cigaretteracing.com. The Miami International Boat Show is open to the public from February 16-20, 2018 at the Miami Marine Stadium Park & Basin.
