Mercedes-AMG ONE vs Aston Martin Valkyrie — Which S2 Class AWD vs RWD Is Better in FH6?
Two very different approaches to going fast. The Mercedes-AMG ONE is AWD with 1,063 hp, the Aston Martin Valkyrie is RWD with 1,160 hp. Here's which one wins — and why.
Putting the Mercedes Mercedes-AMG ONE against the Aston Martin Aston Martin Valkyrie is one of those comparisons that doesn't have a clean answer until you've run real laps back to back. The Mercedes-AMG ONE puts down 1,063 hp from a 1.6L Turbo V6 (F1-derived) + 4 Electric Motors, weighs 1,695 kg, and drives the AWD wheels. The Aston Martin Valkyrie counters with 1,160 hp from a 6.5L Naturally Aspirated V12 + Hybrid, tipping the scales at 1,030 kg through the RWD wheels. On paper they look close enough that you'd think it comes down to preference. It doesn't — I've tested both extensively and the gaps are real, sometimes surprising, sometimes exactly where you'd expect.
In FH6 specifically, these two cars interact with the updated physics engine very differently. The tire model changes, the weight transfer rework, the differential behavior — all of it shifts the balance between AWD and RWD in ways that weren't true in FH5. I spent a full evening hot-lapping both on the same circuits back to back, and what I found changed which one I'd recommend depending on what you're trying to achieve.
Mercedes-AMG ONE — The Mercedes Contender
I've spent way too many hours in this car and I'm not sorry about it. 1,063 hp, 1.6L Turbo V6 (F1-derived) + 4 Electric Motors, and a chassis that talks to you.
In the dry, Mercedes-AMG ONE's AWD system hooks up early on corner exit — you can stand on the throttle a full beat before the RWD cars and just drive around the outside. Rain transforms the equation entirely. On the Forest Rally circuit during a downpour, the front axle digs into standing water and finds purchase where rear-drive cars are hydroplaning toward the barrier. You'll feel a gentle push on corner entry in fast sweepers like the Lake District esses, but a slight throttle lift shifts weight forward and the nose tucks back in. The car never snaps; it communicates through the wheel rim with a progressive lightening that says 'ease off' rather than screaming it.
Full Specs — Mercedes-AMG ONE
| Spec | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 9.5 | Top end is strong, pulls hard past 150 mph |
| Handling | 9.8 | Front-end bite is incredible. You can carry speed through corners that should be impossible |
| Acceleration | 9.5 | Gear shifts are snappy enough that you don't lose momentum between corners |
| Launch | 9.8 | Sticky tires and good weight transfer make for consistently strong launches |
| Braking | 9.7 | Consistent lap after lap. No fade even after 20 minutes of pushing hard |
| Off-Road | 2.0 | It'll do it, but you won't enjoy it. The car won't either |
| PI (Stock) | 995 | Borderline X-class. One of the highest PI cars in the game |
Pros & Cons — Mercedes-AMG ONE
Pros
- Gearing is spot-on out of the box. No awkward gaps in the powerband
- Weight distribution is near perfect. The car does exactly what you ask of it
- Brake feel is telepathic. Trail braking into corners is instinctive
Cons
- Upgrade costs add up fast. Budget another 200k CR to make it truly competitive
- Oversteer on lift-off can catch you out if you're not paying attention mid-corner
- Launch control is inconsistent. Sometimes it hooks, sometimes it spins
Best Events — Mercedes-AMG ONE
| Event Type | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Road Racing | S-Tier | Genuinely one of the best cars in the game for this event type. Full stop. |
| Street Scene | S-Tier | The meta pick, and for good reason. Dominant in the right hands. |
| Speed Zones | S-Tier | This is where the car lives. If you're not using it for this, you're leaving time on the table. |
| Speed Traps | S-Tier | Genuinely one of the best cars in the game for this event type. Full stop. |
| Drift Zones | B-Tier | Middle of the pack. It'll get the job done, but there are better options in this class. |
| Dirt Racing | D-Tier | Don't. Just... don't. The car hates it and you will too. |
Aston Martin Valkyrie — The Aston Martin Contender
I've spent way too many hours in this car and I'm not sorry about it. 1,160 hp, 6.5L Naturally Aspirated V12 + Hybrid, and a chassis that talks to you.
The Aston Martin Valkyrie comes alive three-tenths into a corner. Initial turn-in is clean but unremarkable; what follows is the magic. As weight transfers to the outside rear, the chassis takes a set and the steering weights up with granular, detailed feedback. From that point to the exit curb, you're in a continuous dialogue with the rear tires — a slight looseness under power that you modulate with your right foot. Too much throttle and the rear steps out progressively, giving you time to catch it. Too little and you leave speed on the table. Finding the sweet spot lap after lap is why this car exists in FH6.
Full Specs — Aston Martin Valkyrie
| Spec | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 9.8 | Aero drag kicks in around 180, but up to that point it's phenomenal |
| Handling | 9.7 | Turns in like it can read your mind. Mid-corner grip is obscene |
| Acceleration | 9.5 | Mid-range torque is the sweet spot — 3rd and 4th gear pulls are brutal |
| Launch | 8.5 | Takes some finesse — too much wheelspin off the line if you're not careful |
| Braking | 9.6 | Stopping power is good, not great. Upgrading pads helps a lot |
| Off-Road | 2.0 | Actually fun on gravel with the right tires. Who knew? |
| PI (Stock) | 985 | Borderline X-class. One of the highest PI cars in the game |
Pros & Cons — Aston Martin Valkyrie
Pros
- Weight distribution is near perfect. The car does exactly what you ask of it
- Power delivery is smooth and predictable, making it easy to drive fast
- Versatile across multiple race types. Build it for road, street, or even rally
Cons
- Gearing is too tall in 5th and 6th. A transmission swap fixes it but costs PI
- Understeer on corner entry when you carry too much speed. Trail braking helps but doesn't cure it
- No Forza aero options, which limits tuning flexibility in higher classes
Best Events — Aston Martin Valkyrie
| Event Type | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Road Racing | S-Tier | This is where the car lives. If you're not using it for this, you're leaving time on the table. |
| Street Scene | S-Tier | Genuinely one of the best cars in the game for this event type. Full stop. |
| Speed Zones | S-Tier | Genuinely one of the best cars in the game for this event type. Full stop. |
| Speed Traps | S-Tier | This is where the car lives. If you're not using it for this, you're leaving time on the table. |
| Drift Zones | A-Tier | Does everything right. Not the flashiest pick, but it delivers lap after lap. |
| Dirt Racing | D-Tier | Painful experience. Bring a different car and save yourself the frustration. |
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Spec | Mercedes-AMG ONE | Aston Martin Valkyrie |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 9.5 | 9.8 |
| Handling | 9.8 | 9.7 |
| Acceleration | 9.5 | 9.5 |
| Launch | 9.8 | 8.5 |
| Braking | 9.7 | 9.6 |
| Off-Road | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| PI (Stock) | 995 | 985 |
Verdict: Which One Should You Pick?
Here's the honest answer after testing both cars back to back on the same circuits. The "better" car depends entirely on what you're driving for.
Pick the Mercedes-AMG ONE if: you prioritize cornering precision over straight-line speed. you race on tracks with long straights where top speed matters more. you want consistent launches and all-weather grip.
Pick the Aston Martin Valkyrie if: you prioritize cornering precision over straight-line speed. you race on tracks with long straights where top speed matters more. you enjoy the challenge of managing oversteer and want the higher skill ceiling.
If I could only keep one, I'd pick the Mercedes-AMG ONE. Both are competitive in the S2 class meta though, and either one will podium consistently if you build it right. My advice: test both at the Autoshow, run a few laps on your favorite circuit, and trust the stopwatch. The numbers don't lie — even when your heart wants them to.
How to Get Each Car
You can grab this one at the Autoshow for 2,750,000 CR. Good value considering what you get.
Originally a 30-point seasonal reward. Prices on the Auction House have settled down now, so it's not impossible to find.
Wheelspin luck required. Pro tip: save your super wheelspins and open them in bulk. Doesn't change the odds, but it feels better.
Straight from the Autoshow at 3,000,000 CR. Price is a bit steep but it holds value well.
Was a seasonal playlist reward in Series 11. If you missed it, the Auction House is your best bet.