Preview: McLaren P1

Reviews I By Winding Road Staff I February 26, 2013
This is the Master Landing Page for the McLaren P1. From now on, as we further review this car, we will be updating this page with whatever fresh content we create. Future drive reviews, updated specifications, videos, and other relevant information will all be found right here, in one convenient spot.
 
SUMMARY
 
2014 McLaren P1
 
Fast cars often feature electronic limiters to keep the top speed at levels mortal humans can control. That’s why that shiny new BMW M5 in your driveway will only hit 155 miles per hour, even though we all know it’s capable of much more pace. Very fast cars use limiters too, just at a much higher level. In the case of McLaren’s all-new P1 hypercar, which has just received its official unveiling, it’s electronically limited to 218 mph.
 
Yes, that’s slower than a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, which will do 268 mph. McLaren claims the P1 will hit 62 miles per hour in under three seconds, 124 mph in under seven seconds, and 186 mph in under 17 seconds. A Veyron SS is faster (2.5 seconds to 62, 6.7 seconds to 124, and 14.6 seconds to 186), but at this performance level, we might as well be complaining that the bartender spilled our Johnny Blue. The P1 is freaking fast, and so is the SS. The end.
 
We already took a fairly in-depth dive to the P1’s powertrain right here, but we’ll recap for you. Its 3.8-liter, biturbocharged V-8 is joined by a hybrid powertrain, good for 903 total system horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque. This cutting edge approach allows the P1 to do some things that Veyron drivers can only dream of. It features a push-to-pass button on the steering wheel, that immediately access an extra 132 pound-feet of torque, just like McLaren’s KERS system in Formula 1.
 
Importantly, the P1 is quite clean. Unlike the Veyron SS we mentioned above, which was about as good for the environment as driving around a Victorian smelting factory, the P1 releases about the same amount of carbon dioxide per kilometer as a Volkswagen Tiguan.
 
Great speed is closely followed by great stopping ability. In the P1’s case, that means carbon-ceramic brakes from McLaren’s F1 partner, Akebono. And keeping all that power on the road is a set of specially designed Pirelli PZero Corsa tires.
 
Now, on to the trickiest part of the P1 equation: pricing and availability. Be prepared to cry. Putting a McLaren P1 in your driveway will cost £866,000, or $1.3 million at today’s exchange rates. Even more crushing is the fact that only 375 individuals will receive the honor of dropping such a princely sum. Yeah, that’s a lot of money and not a lot of people. There’s no indication of when P1 production will begin or what countries will receive an allotment (US, Great Britain, Germany, and China seem like certainties). We’ll have more information as it becomes available.
 
Please scroll down for the official press release from McLaren.
 
McLAREN P1™: THE NUMBER CRUNCHER
Feb 26, 2013
 
Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) provides astonishing acceleration: 0 to 300 km/h takes less than 17 seconds, more than 23 per cent faster than the legendary McLaren F1
Top speed electronically limited to 350 km/h
To maintain exclusivity, production will be strictly limited to 375 units
Pricing to start from £866,000 on the road; fully equipped as standard for road and track use
Production model is almost unchanged from the original design study
 
 
McLaren Automotive has released the final numbers, images and information relating to its phenomenal McLaren P1™ ahead of a global reveal in just a few days at the 83rd International Geneva Motor Show.
 
The race-inspired Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) gives the McLaren P1™ astonishing performance.  Zero to 100km/h will take less than 3 seconds, zero to 200 km/h under 7 seconds, and zero to 300 km/h will be achieved in no more than 17 seconds.  Putting that into perspective, that’s 5 seconds faster than the legendary McLaren F1 road car.  Top speed is electronically limited to 350 km/h.
 
McLaren has been engaging with potential customers actively in the last few months to get their views on the McLaren P1™, about the car’s styling.  Their unanimous verdict on the styling was not to change the car presented last September in Paris.  So unusually, the McLaren P1™ has translated to production form with very little change.  In fact just one, the addition of LTR ducts ahead of each of the front wheels to further aid cooling and optimise downforce.
 
McLaren has closely monitored demand so as to maintain exclusivity, and announced a production number of just 375 units – a figure that will ensure the McLaren P1™ will remain a rarity and, if spotted on the road, an unforgettable sight.
 
McLaren has also announced that the car will cost from £866,000 on the road with a specification that fully equips the car for both road and track use.  The company prides itself on designing performance cars that their owners can use regularly so the McLaren P1™ comes comprehensively equipped as standard with an array of colour and trim alternatives from which the customer will be able to choose as well as visible carbon fibre in the cabin.  The options list is limited to only bespoke content that a customer might wish to add through McLaren Special Operations, and fitted luggage.
 
As already announced, the McLaren P1™ will have the combined force of two highly-efficient powerplants, offering the optimum mix of superb throttle response, day-to-day drivability and top speed. A mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine is substantially enhanced featuring, for example, larger turbochargers and a highly effective electric motor, to give a combined output of 916PS (903 bhp) and a maximum torque figure of 900Nm. This ensures instantaneous throttle response through the rev range, more akin to a naturally aspirated engine. Emissions of less than 200g/km on the combined cycle are reduced to zero in full electric drive mode, while the Formula 1-derived DRS and IPAS technologies offer an increase in straight-line speed and an instant boost of power.
 
The tyres fitted to the McLaren P1™ are specially developed P Zero Corsas, which have been developed with McLaren’s technology partner, Pirelli. The team at Pirelli has been involved throughout the entire development programme, and this has seen the tyre testing phase integrated into the schedule, as a key performance component. The final compound and construction has been developed and optimised during testing, and the end result is a tyre that is finely tuned specifically to the performance and handling characteristics.
 
To rein in the power produced by the twin powerplants, the McLaren P1™ is designed to offer braking performance more associated with a GT3 or sports racing car. Developed by McLaren’s Formula 1 partner Akebono, the system features a new type of carbon ceramic disc, which has previously seen service in space, but never before used on a road car. Stronger than conventional carbon ceramic, the material dissipates heat more effectively, giving the highly efficient braking system exceptional stopping and cooling capability. The system also boasts significantly reduced weight, and a bespoke ceramic layer coats both friction surfaces to give an attractive mirrored finish.
 
One surprising feature is that the car can also be driven solely in electric mode.  In city driving, with an average speed of 30 mph, this could mean up to a 20km range.  More than enough for an owner to enter, for example, a city centre Zero Emissions Zone, have dinner and return home.
 
About McLaren Automotive:
 
McLaren Automotive is a British manufacturer of luxury, high-performance sports cars, located at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, Surrey.
 
Following the company’s global launch in 2010, McLaren Automotive launched the groundbreaking 12C and 12C Spider and, in keeping with its plan to introduce a new model each year, recently unveiled the McLaren P1™ at the Paris Motor Show. The brand continues to expand, operating through a dedicated global network of retailers in every major automotive market.
 
McLaren Automotive Partners
To support the development, engineering and manufacture of its range of innovative and highly acclaimed sports cars, McLaren Automotive has partnered with world leading companies to provide specialist expertise and technology.  These include Akebono, AkzoNobel, ExxonMobil, Pirelli, SAP and TAG Heuer.
 
Designed for the track; Developed for the road
 
The connection between Formula 1 and road cars at McLaren is a natural process of experience, knowledge, principles and process transfer. Through the integration of 50 years of Formula 1 racing expertise and knowledge, and 20 years of heritage in producing landmark sports cars, McLaren Automotive designs, develops and builds the technologically advanced, groundbreaking and no compromise 12C and 12C Spider.
 
McLaren has pioneered the use of carbon fibre in vehicle production over the past 30 years, and since introducing a carbon chassis into racing and road cars with the 1981 McLaren MP4/1 and 1993 McLaren F1 respectively, McLaren has not built a car without a carbon fibre chassis.
 
RELATED ARTICLES
 
 
SPECIFICATIONS
 
2014 McLaren P1
Engine: Biturbocharged V-8, 3.8 liters, 32v, electric motor
Output: 903 hp/663 lb-ft
Weight: TBD
0-60 MPH: 3.0 sec (est)
Top Speed: 218 mph*
Fuel Economy, City/Hwy: TBD
Base Price: $1.3 million
On Sale: TBD
 
(* electronically limited)
 
PERFORMANCE
 
Acceleration
0-100km/h (62 mph)
0-200km/h (124 mph)
0-300km/h (186 mph)
Standing quarter mile (400m)
V Max
2.8 seconds
6.8 seconds
16.5 seconds
9.8 seconds @ 245 km/h (152 mph)
350 km/h (217 mph) electronically limited
Braking
100-0 km/h m (ft) [sec]
200-0 km/h m (ft) [sec]
300-0 km/h m (ft) [sec]
30.2 (99) [2.9]
116 (380) [4.5]
246 (806) [6.2]
Fuel efficiency
mpg (combined)
litres/100km
34.0 mpg
8.3 l/100km
Emissions
CO2
194 g/km
 
GALLERIES
 
 
VIDEOS

 

 

 

 

McLaren P1 — Designed By Air

McLaren Demonstrates How To Drive A P1 In The Snow

McLaren P1 – Goodwood Festival of Speed 2013

Jenson Button drives the McLaren P1 – Goodwood Festival of Speed 2013

Captured: McLaren P1 Is Hot In Desert Testing

The Guide to Road Racing: Winding Road Magazine's ultimate guide to getting your start in racing.

Table of Contents

Related Articles

The Genesis G90 Bang & Olufsen Audio System

The Genesis G90 Bang & Olufsen audio system has given birth to an exceptional audio experience that redefines in-car sound.

October 27, 2023
Driven: 2023 Toyota GR86 Compliments the Curves

How does the 2023 Toyota GR86 fair on the Tail of the Dragon? Put simply, it’s the perfect tool for tackling the famous curves.

August 21, 2023
Review: Le Mans 100 Book is a Winner

As a devoted motorsport enthusiast, my anticipation for the Le Mans 100 book by Glen Smale was sky-high following the thrilling and unforgettable 24 Hours…

July 07, 2023
Review: The G80 M3 Manual is a Lovable Driving Machine

The G80 M3’s personality is just far too muddied, but at least what it’s courageous enough to express is well-sorted excellence.

June 02, 2023
The Mullin Automotive Museum Immortalizes the Grandeur of French Pre-War Car Culture

What’s behind the doors of the Mullin Automotive Museum aren’t just cars, but works of art in every shape and form.

June 01, 2023

EMAIL SIGN UP

Get the latest driving and racing news straight to your inbox.

no thanks

Begin typing your search above and press return to search.