McLaren P1

Lore & Background

Following the conclusion of McLaren F1 production in 1998, McLaren Automotive became dormant until 2010. The McLaren 12C was McLaren's first production car following the F1, introduced in 2011. With the 12C in production, McLaren announced in a press release in 2011 that a new factory (the McLaren Production Centre) had opened to ramp up production. Mentioned in the same press release were plans for several 'game-changing high performance cars'. British automotive magazine Autocar reported earlier in the year that a new flagship model, internally designated the 'Mega Mac', was under development, with production set to be limited to 500 units. Other specifications included a 3.8L twin-turbo V8 that was set to produce 799 hp, and performance intended to rival that of the Bugatti Veyron. The first teaser was shown to the public in September 2012. The first actual photos of the P1 concept were revealed days later ahead of its public debut. A pre-production conceptual version of the P1 was shown at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The production version of the P1 was unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

In Their Own Story

The sun dips below the horizon at Silverstone as the engine note shifts from a turbine whine to a deep V8 roar. Inside the cockpit, the driver engages 'Track Mode,' and the ambient lighting turns a fierce red. The car feels lighter than air, hugging the tarmac with magnetic grip as it approaches Stowe corner. For a moment, the boundary between road car and Formula 1 machine dissolves; this is not just driving, but piloting a piece of history.

Reader's Guide

The P1 features a 3.8 L twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivering 542 kW (737 PS; 727 hp) at 7,500 rpm and 531 lb⋅ft (720 N⋅m) of torque at 4,000 rpm, combined with an electric motor producing 132 kW (179 PS; 177 hp) and 192 lb⋅ft (260 N⋅m) of torque. The combined power output is 674 kW (916 PS; 903 hp) and 900 N⋅m (664 lb⋅ft) of torque. The electric motor can be deployed manually or left in automatic mode, whereby the car's ECUs 'torque fill' the gaps in the petrol engine's output. The car has a rear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and is equipped with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Power for the electric motor is stored in a 324-cell lithium-ion high-density battery pack. The battery can be charged by the engine or through a plug-in equipment and can be fully charged in two hours. The P1 has an all-electric range of at least 10 km (6.2 mi) on the combined European drive cycle. Under the EPA cycle, the range in EV mode is 19 mi (31 km). The P1 has Formula 1 derived features such as the Instant Power Assist System (IPAS), which gives an instant boost in acceleration via the electric motor, a Drag Reduction System (DRS) which operates the car's rear wing, thereby increasing straight line speed, and a KERS. It generates a downforce of 600 kg at 257 km/h (160 mph) and has a drag coefficient of Cd=0.34. According to McLaren the P1 accelerates from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 2.8 seconds, 0–200 km/h (0–124 mph) in 6.8 seconds, and 0–300 km/h (0–186 mph) in 16.5 seconds. The P1 is electronically limited to a top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph). It has a dry weight of 1,395 kg (3,075 lb) and a kerb weight of 1,547 kg (3,411 lb).

Did You Know?

• The P1 was one of the first high performance sports cars to incorporate hybrid technology, alongside the Porsche 918 Spyder and LaFerrari.
• Frank Stephenson drew inspiration for parts of the car from a sailfish he saw on holiday in Miami.
• The P1's active aero components include a Drag Reduction System (DRS) that operates the rear wing to increase straight line speed.
• The electric motor provides 'torque fill' to reduce turbo lag, not torque vectoring.
• The P1 has an all-electric range of at least 10 km (6.2 mi) on the combined European drive cycle.