Mercedes-AMG shows Project One prototype testing

The company says the car is too loud to keep secret during track trials.

Mercedes-AMG has highlighted prototype testing for the upcoming Project One.

Teams worked in secret for several months ahead of the car's first official presentation last year. Engineers then utilized 'virtual' computer tools to refine the design before building the first prototypes.

The Project One's claim to fame is a unique hybrid powertrain based on Formula 1 technology. The company describes the process of bringing race-car tech to the street as an "immense challenge" requiring extensive dyno and track testing.

"But it turns out to be more difficult to keep this testing confidential: the camouflaged prototypes of the Mercedes-AMG hypercar are still being driven on closed off test grounds and racetracks," the company says. "However, because of their characteristic F1 sound they are hard to keep from the public."

The performance hybrid will produce over 1,000 horsepower for a maximum track speed of over 217 mph.