Mercedes-AMG conquers water once again, sending its DNA straight into the waves at full speed, in the shape of the Cigarette Racing 515 Project ONE. It is the boat inspired by the power house’s hypercar, presented at the 2018 Miami International Boat Show.
It is silver and it is fast. “Blink and you’ll miss it” kind of fast, as it hits 140 mph and it is powered by a couple of Mercury Racing, twin-cam V8 units, able to develop 1,350 horsepower on 91-octane fuel or 1,550 on racing fuel, for a total output of 2,700, 3,100 horsepower, respectively.
The paint design matches the livery the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE was introduced in, with silver accompanied by black accents, though lacking the PETRONAS turcquoise found on the body of the Formula 1 cars that inspired the Project ONE hypercar. That one boasts a 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 and four electric motors that team up for over 1,000 horsepower.
With 51 feet and 5 inches in length (that is the explanation for the 515 indicative in the name) and 10 feet wide, one thing is for sure, the speed boat can carry more people than the two-seater driving on land, as it provides space for six. So we’ve got over 50 feet of carbon fiber in the deck, hull, bulkeads, cabinliner, engine case and console, but also Kevlar, to reduce weight and lower the center of gravity, to keep it steady on water, at high speeds.
Following that “If you have to ask, it means you can’t afford it” principle, the price is only available upon request.
The partnership between AMG and Cigarette Racing dates way back, in 2007, as the companies share the same philosophy in terms of luxury, performance and quality standards.