This year, McLaren celebrates two major milestones: the 10-year anniversary of the production version of the McLaren P1™, and the 60-year anniversary of the founding of the company by Bruce McLaren. While both of these events are worthy of recognition, today we’ll be focusing on the remarkable hypercar that set new standards in performance and technology – the McLaren P1™.
Unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the McLaren P1™ is recognized as a landmark in the development of high-performance hybrid vehicles. It was designed with the intention of being “the best driver’s car in the world on both road and track,” and it immediately proved its credentials with a series of testing and development achievements, including lapping the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Under the hood, the McLaren P1™ boasted a 3.8-litre, twin-turbocharged M838TQ V8 engine developing 737PS (727 bhp) combined with a lightweight electric motor producing 179PS (176 bhp) to give a total of 916PS (903bhp). This powertrain delivered levels of performance that were – and remain – astonishing, with acceleration from 0-100km/h (62mph) in 2.8 seconds; 0-200km/h (124mph) in 6.8 seconds and 0-300km/h (186mph) in 16.5 seconds – a full five seconds quicker than the legendary McLaren F1. A maximum speed of 350km/h (217mph) added to the appeal and reputation of the McLaren P1™, but it was the instant throttle response and torque infill that conclusively proved that electrification could truly enhance modern turbocharged powertrains.
The McLaren P1™ was also underpinned by two of McLaren’s trademark strengths: low vehicle weight and aerodynamic excellence. The MonoCage carbon fiber monocoque with a roof at the core of the McLaren P1™ was a development of the MonoCell structure used in McLaren’s 12C supercar and key to optimizing mass in a vehicle with a dry lightest weight of just 1,395kg (3,075lbs). DIN weight was 1,490kg (3,285lbs). The relentless pursuit of light weight remains a priority for McLaren, as seen in their new high-performance hybrid, the Artura, with a DIN weight of 1,498kg (3,303lbs).
The carbon fiber body panels of the McLaren P1™ were designed to be thin and strong, weighing only 90kg in total. The hybrid battery, mounted low inside the carbon fiber MonoCage, weighed just 96kg. The car had no floor carpet or sound deadening, and the glass was re-engineered to reduce weight.
The large rear wing of the McLaren P1™ optimized aerodynamics by adjusting automatically. It could extend rearwards by up to 300mm on track and 120mm on the road, developed using the same software and methodology as the McLaren Formula 1 team. A DRS (Drag Reduction System) was integrated into the design of the McLaren P1™ to reduce downforce and increase straight-line speed, achieved through the pitch of the rear wing, rather than by using a removable flap. A combination of CFD (computational fluid dynamics) aerodynamic modeling and many hours spent in a wind tunnel focusing on aerodynamic performance resulted in downforce of 600kg at well below maximum speed.
The McLaren P1™ was extremely exclusive and highly desirable, selling out within mere months of reveal, with all 375 cars allocated by November. Cars like the McLaren Artura continue the McLaren legacy of producing exceptionally engineered supercars. If you would like additional information about any of our new McLaren vehicles for sale, please contact us today at McLaren Long Island.
Source: McLaren
