McLaren celebrates 10 years of the McLaren P1 hybrid hypercar

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McLaren (Woking, U.K.) celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the reveal of the production version of the McLaren P1. Unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, this hypercar is recognized as a landmark for McLaren and the development of high-performance hybrid vehicles — showcased most recently by the all-new McLaren Artura (read, “Newly debuted Artura GT4 features McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture”).

Created with the intention of being “the best driver’s car in the world on both road and track,” the design and technical specifications of the McLaren P1 provided the ideal foundation to deliver on this ambition. A series of testing and development achievements during 2013 — including lapping the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife — cemented the car’s credentials, according to the company. Alongside a benchmark hybridized, petrol-electric powertrain, the hypercar has been underpinned by two of McLaren’s trademark strengths: low vehicle weight and aerodynamic excellence.

Light weight remains a priority for McLaren’s vehicles. The MonoCage carbon fiber monocoque with 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 weight of just 1,395 kilograms (3,075 pounds). The McLaren P1’s body panels are also carbon fiber and comprise a large clamshell; single-molded front and rear panels attached to the central MonoCage; two small access flaps in the rear; a front bonnet and the two doors. Weighing a total of only 90 kilograms, the panels are thin but also strong. A hybrid battery, which is mounted low inside the carbon fiber MonoCage, weighs 96 kilograms. 

A 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged M838TQ V8 engine developing 737PS (727 bhp) is combined with a lightweight electric motor producing 179PS (176 bhp) to give a total of 916PS (903 bhp). According to McLaren, this delivers a high level of performance. For example, the hypercar is capable of acceleration from zero to 100 kilometers/hour (62 miles/hour) in 2.8 seconds; zero to 200 kilometers/hour (124 miles/hour) in 6.8 seconds and zero to 300 kilometers/hour (186 miles/hour) in 16.5 seconds — a full five seconds quicker than the McLaren F1. A maximum speed of 350 kilometers/hour (217 miles/hour) is possible. 

The large rear wing of the McLaren P1 optimizes aerodynamics by adjusting automatically. It can extend rearwards by up to 300 millimeters on track and 120 millimeters on road. This was developed using the same software and methodology as the McLaren Formula 1 team. A drag reduction system (DRS) was integrated into its design 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 computational fluid dynamics (CFD) aerodynamic modeling and many hours spent in a wind tunnel focusing on aerodynamic performance, resulted in downforce of 600 kilograms at well below maximum speed. 

When developed, no floor carpet was installed (it was deemed unnecessarily heavy) and no sound deadening. The glass was re-engineered to reduce weight, chemically toughened, and only 2.4 millimeters thick. The windscreen is just 3.2 millimeters thick, including a plastic interlayer, saving (at the time) 3.5 kilograms over the 4.2-millimeter-thick screen of the 12C.

Exclusive and highly desirable, the McLaren P1 sold out within months of reveal and by November all 375 cars were allocated. Build of the first of the 375 McLaren P1 production models were completed in September 2013. The final customer-ordered car was completed in December 2015.

Ten years after its Geneva Motor Show appearance — and the same year McLaren is celebrating the 60-year anniversary of Bruce McLaren founding the company — the McLaren P1 is said to remain an exciting and dynamically accomplished performer on both road and track. In addition to maintaining an enduring legacy in McLaren’s lineage of technologically advanced, driver-focused cars, as a precursor of electrification as an enhancement to driving engagement, the vehicle has changed perceptions of the technology, inspiring the Artura’s performance and driving dynamics with electric vehicle (EV) driving capability.

For additional facts about the McLaren P1, visit this link.