Mercedes V6 hybrid Formula One power unit

The Mercedes V6 hybrid Formula One power unit is a series of 1.6-litre, hybrid turbocharged V6 racing engines which features both a kinetic energy recovery system (MGU-K) and a heat energy recovery system (MGU-H), developed and produced by Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains for use in Formula One. The engines were in use since the 2014 season by the Mercedes works team. Over years of development, engine power was increased from 630 kW (840 hp) at 15,000 rpm, to 770 kW (1,030 hp) at 15,000 rpm. Customer team engines were used by Williams, McLaren, Lotus, Manor Racing, Force India, Racing Point Force India, Racing Point and Aston Martin. Their most recent championship victories are in 2020 (Drivers') and 2024 (Constructors').

Mercedes V6 turbo-hybrid power unit[1]
The Mercedes M10 power unit, used in the 2019 season
Overview
Manufacturer	Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains
Production	2014–present
Layout
Configuration	V-6 single hybrid turbocharged engine, 90° cylinder angle
Displacement	1.6 L (98 cu in)
Cylinder bore	80 mm (3.15 in)
Piston stroke	53 mm (2.09 in)
Cylinder block material	Aluminum alloy
Cylinder head material	Aluminum alloy
Valvetrain	24-valve (four-valves per cylinder), DOHC
Compression ratio	under 18:1
RPM range
Idle speed	5,000 rpm
Max. engine speed	15,000 rpm
Combustion
Turbocharger	Hybrid turbocharger with 350–500 kPa (3.5–5.0 bar) boost pressure
Fuel system	50 MPa; 7,252 psi (500 bar) gasoline direct injection
Management	McLaren TAG-320 (2014-2018) later TAG-320B (2019-present)
Fuel type	Petronas Primax unleaded gasoline 94.25% + 5.75% biofuel[2] and Mobil (McLaren only in 2014)
Oil system	Dry sump
Cooling system	Single water pump
Output
Power output	626–768 kW (840–1,030 hp)
Torque output	Approx. 600–822 N⋅m (443–606 ft⋅lb)
Dimensions
Dry weight	145–150 kg (320–331 lb) overall including headers, clutch, ECU, spark box or filters
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz FO engine

Mercedes PU106 Hybrid Power Unit on display at the Silverstone Experience

Enduring a successful run since the 2014 season, the Mercedes V6 Hybrid engine has become one of the most successful Formula One engines of all time.^[3] It broke the record for most wins in a season in 2016 (this record has since been surpassed by Honda with Red Bull Racing in 2023), as well as among many other major constructor and driver F1 records. Notably, Lewis Hamilton won a record breaking six drivers' championships and the Mercedes factory team won a record-breaking eight consecutive constructors' championships powered by Mercedes V6 hybrid engines.

List of Formula One engines

Specifications of the Mercedes V6 hybrid F1 power units

Season	Name	Format	Peak power @ rpm Including hybrid system where applicable	Notes
2014	Mercedes-Benz PU106A	1.600 L 90° V6 turbo hybrid	630 kW (840 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[4][unreliable source?]
2015	Mercedes-Benz PU106B		649 kW (870 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[5][unreliable source?]	Adapted for use in the Mercedes-AMG One[6]
2016	Mercedes-Benz PU106C		670 kW (900 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[7]
2017	Mercedes-AMG M08 EQ Power+		708 kW (949 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[8][unreliable source?]
2018	Mercedes-AMG M09 EQ Power+		720 kW (970 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[9]
2019	Mercedes-AMG M10 EQ Power+			Badged as "BWT Mercedes" for Racing Point
2020	Mercedes-AMG M11 EQ Performance		740 kW (990 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[10][unreliable source?]
2021	Mercedes-AMG M12 E Performance		770 kW (1,030 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[10][unreliable source?]
2022	Mercedes-AMG M13 E Performance		770 kW (1,030 hp) @ 15,000 rpm[11][unreliable source?]
2023	Mercedes-AMG M14 E Performance
2024	Mercedes-AMG M15 E Performance

Statistics

Mercedes-AMG W11 F1 car, powered by a Mercedes V6 Hybrid engine, it was one of the most successful F1 cars of all time

The Formula One regulations in 2014 saw Mercedes produce a unique hybrid 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 engine, that could produce a significant amount of power with less fuel consumption compared to Ferrari and Renault engines. It also featured the kinetic energy recovery system (MGU-K) and heat energy recovery system (MGU-H). The engine was soon proved to have a clear advantage over other engines, as cars powered by the Mercedes engine scored the majority of points during the 2014 season.^[12] Since the introduction of this engine formula, Mercedes-powered cars scored pole position in 133 and won 124 of 228 races (as of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix), and won 7 drivers' championships and 9 constructors' championships.

Season statistics for Mercedes engines

Season	Constructors	Races	Wins	Pole positions	1–2 finishes	Podiums	Fastest laps	WCC
2014	Mercedes, Force India, McLaren, Williams	19	16	19	15	41	17	1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th
2015	Mercedes, Force India, Lotus, Williams	19	16	18	12	38	13	1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th
2016	Mercedes, Force India, MRT, Williams	21	19	20	8	35	10	1st, 4th, 5th, 11th
2017	Mercedes, Force India, Williams	20	12	15	4	27	10	1st, 4th, 5th
2018	Mercedes, Force India, Williams	21	11	13	4	26	10	1st, 7th, 10th
2019	Mercedes, Racing Point, Williams	21	15	10	9	32	9	1st, 7th, 10th
2020	Mercedes, Racing Point, Williams	17	14	16	6	29	9	1st, 4th, 10th
2021	Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, Williams	22	10	10	1	35	12	1st, 4th, 7th, 8th
2022	Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, Williams	22	1	1	1	18	8	3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th
2023	Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, Williams	22	0	1	0	24	8	2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th
2024	Mercedes, Aston Martin, McLaren, Williams	24	10	12	4	30	12	1st, 4th, 5th, 9th

Other applications

Mercedes-AMG One

The Mercedes-AMG One at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Mercedes-AMG One production hypercar features a powertrain similar to modern Formula One cars. The production version of the car features a modified version of the 1.6 L (98 cu in) Mercedes-Benz PU106B Hybrid E-turbo V6 engine, used in the Mercedes F1 W06 Hybrid Formula One car.^[13][14] Modifications were done to the engine, resulting in a reduction in idle rpm and redline rpm among many other changes to make it road-legal. The modified internal combustion engine (ICE) produces a maximum power output of 422 kW (574 PS; 566 hp). Torque figures were unmeasurable due to the complex powertrain.^[15]

The internal combustion engine works in conjunction with four electric motors; a 120 kW (163 PS; 161 hp) MGU-K coupled to the crankshaft, a 90 kW (122 PS; 121 hp) MGU-H coupled to the turbocharger, and two electric motors in the front axle producing 240 kW (326 PS; 322 hp).^[16] The One has a total combined power output of 782 kW (1,063 PS; 1,049 hp). The MGU-K and MGU-H are similar as in use in Formula One cars, which were responsible for recovering energy and improving efficiency during the operation of the car.^[17] More specifically, the MGU-K serves to generate electricity during braking, while the MGU-H serves to eliminate turbo lag and improve throttle response by keeping the turbine spinning at lower engine high speeds.^[18] Two electric motors drive the front wheels and creates an all-wheel drive drivetrain, the sum of these four electric motors contribute 360 kW (489 PS; 483 hp) of effective power to the total power output figure of the AMG One.

The head of Mercedes-AMG, Tobias Moers, claimed that the engine idles at 1,280 rpm and 11,000 rpm at its redline limit. However, the engine will only last for 50,000 km (31,000 mi) and the owners would have to return their cars for an engine refurbishment costing 850,000 euros. This Formula One inspired powertrain helps the car attain a top speed of 352 km/h (219 mph). According to Mercedes-AMG, the car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 2.9 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h (120 mph) in 7.0 seconds and 0 to 300 km/h (190 mph) in 15.6 seconds.^[19]

References

1. "Formula 1 Engine Facts « Mercedes AMG HPP". mercedes-amg-hpp.com. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
2. "Mercedes-Benz International: News, Pictures, Videos & Livestreams". mercedesamgf1.com. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
3. Watson, Jack (2021-02-26). "Formula 1's 5 Most Iconic Engines ever". Sportlight. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
4. Petric, Darjan (2021-04-29). "Mercedes didn't use full F1 engine power in 2014". MAXF1. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
5. "How Long Do F1 Engines Last? | F1 Chronicle". 2020-06-17. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
6. "New Mercedes-AMG One revealed: price, specs and release date". carwow.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-09-22.
7. "Mercedes producing over 900bhp with more to come". ESPN. 2016-02-06. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
8. Petric, Darjan (2018-01-05). "How much power F1 engines have?". MAXF1net. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
9. Saward, Joe (2018-05-10). "Mercedes F1 engine is a true modern marvel". Autoweek. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
10. "Mercedes New Engine in 2021 with More 25 Horsepower – 'Party Mode Whole Race'!". F1Lead.com. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
11. "Mercedes enters 2022 with extra horsepower through improved turbocharger". www.gpblog.com. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
12. Benson, Andrew (9 April 2014). "F1: McLaren can catch Mercedes says race chief Eric Boullier". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
13. "Watch Mercedes-Benz AMG's One hit the Hockenheimring racetrack". Motor Authority. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
14. "New Mercedes-AMG One revealed: price, specs and release date". carwow.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
15. "The Mercedes-AMG Project One Hypercar Will Have 1,020 HP". CarBuzz. 2017-04-24. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
16. Csere, Csaba (2017-09-11). "Mercedes-AMG Project One". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
17. "Power unit and ERS". Formula1.com. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
18. Csere, Csaba (2017-09-17). "Mercedes-AMG Project One Photos and Info | News | Car and Driver". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
19. "Mercedes-AMG ONE". www.mercedes-amg.com. Retrieved 2022-07-27.