McLaren News

This is the McLaren P1 supercar as it will appear at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show on March 5 and in McLaren showrooms all around the globe later in the year. The production version looks almost identical to the concept version unveiled last year in Paris, with only a few subtle details to tell them apart and all of the proposed Formula One technology still intact. We can confirm that only 375 examples will be built, making the P1 one of the most exclusive supercars of modern times. That number is still more than three times the amount of the P1’s predecessor, the legendary McLaren F1, though we're sure seeing one in your neck of the woods will still be an extremely rare sight, unless you happen to live in Monaco or Dubai. Pricing is set at $1.15 million, though the number is meaningless as we’re sure the car is already sold out. McLaren says at that price the car is fully loaded, but the company’s McLaren Special Operations personalization service will happily inflate the sticker should you desire to burn more cash. Top speed Moving on to performance, the P1 will be able to accelerate to 100 km/h from rest in under 3.0 seconds, pass 200 km/h in under 7.0 seconds, and close on 200 km/h in no more than 17 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 350 km/h. So it won’t outmatch current supercars like the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and Koenigsegg Agera R in straightline speed, but that isn’t really the point as McLaren has sought to make its P1 one of the fastest road-legal cars around a race track. As already announced, the McLaren P1 will have the combined force of two highly-efficient powerplants: a V-8 engine and electric motor. They offer a mix of insane throttle response, day-to-day drivability and top speed thanks to various driving modes including electric only, gasoline only and combined hybrid modes. Engine Its V-8 engine is an upgraded version of the twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre M838T unit built by Ricardo and currently fitted to the MP4-12C, and in the P1 delivers 535 kW and 718 Nm of torque on its own. The electric motor adds 130kW and 259 Nm, all of which can be drawn on by pressing the “IPAS” (Instant Power Assist System) button on the car’s steering wheel. Hybrid drivetrain McLaren says the additional boost of the electric motor allows a wider performance band, allowing the turbocharged car to feel like a naturally aspirated one. Note, a further benefit is that the electric motor also allows faster upshifts of the gearbox. This is achieved through the application of instant negative torque at the point of shift, making the engine revs drop as quickly and efficiently as possible to the required engine speed for the upshift. In addition to the IPAS button, the P1’s steering wheel features a second button marked “DRS.” This is to activate the car’s Drag Reduction System, which uses technology similar to that employed on current F1 cars. Speed can be increased by reducing the amount of drag--up to 23 percent--on the P1's rear wing, which is done by changing its angle. The system immediately deactivates when the button is released, or if the driver touches the brake pedal. Massive stopping power comes from a braking package developed by Akebono, McLaren’s brake specialist in F1. The system features a new type of carbon ceramic disc, used for the first time on a road car. Not only is the system lighter, it dissipates heat more effectively, giving the highly efficient braking system exceptional stopping and cooling capability. These work in conjunction with super sticky Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires. The team at Pirelli was involved throughout the entire development program, and has also transferred much of its knowledge gained from F1. Full carbon-fibre construction The car’s construction is all carbon-fibre. Built around what McLaren likes to call the MonoCage, the P1 uses a carbon fiber monocoque and roof structure to form a strong safety cage. The structure of the MonoCage, unlike the 12C’s MonoCell, also serves to guide air into the engine through an integral roof snorkel and air intake ducts, saving further weight. The P1 is highly aerodynamic in its design, carrying a drag coefficient of just 0.34 despite generating around 600 kilograms of downforce at speed. Part of that equation is the aforementioned active rear wing, which can extend 30cm for maximum performance. The carbon fiber theme continues into the P1’s relatively spartan cabin, which features a digital gauge cluster complete with a race-inspired digital dash readout. The display has multiple modes including a “Race” mode, where a bank of lights across the top illuminate green, followed by red and finally blue. These act as a shift indicator, as in McLaren’s own F1 car. The P1 is a strict two-seater, with storage space minimal due to the 90 kilogram battery back sandwiched between the seats and the engine. Only a single change between production and concept As for the styling, McLaren explains that after engaging with potential customers following the reveal of the concept in Paris, it was determined that the large majority wanted the design to remain unchanged. So unusually, the P1 has translated to production form with very little change. In fact just one, the addition of cooling ducts ahead of each of the front wheels to further aid cooling and optimize downforce. Now that we finally know all there is to know about the McLaren P1, apart from how it drives, stay tuned for live photos and video following the car’s debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show next week. www.motorauthority.com  

The V-8 engine is an upgraded version of the twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre M838T unit built by Ricardo and currently fitted to the MP4-12C, though in its latest application it gets coupled to a low-weight, highly efficient electric motor that ensures instant torque for optimised throttle response.Some of the upgrades to the P1’s engine include optimised cooling and durability under the higher loads; the V-8 by itself is rated at 542 kilowatts and 718 Newton metres of torque, which is 82 kilowatts and 119 Newtown metres of torque more than the figures for the 12C’s engine, respectively.The electric motor adds 129 kilowatts and 259 Newton metres of torque, though the peak torque of the motor and engine arrive at different points. The lower peak torque of the electric motor is said to help the force-fed V-8 feel more like a naturally aspirated engine.The setup also allows an electric-only range of more than 9.6km, and, at certain times, the driver can draw up the full 129 kilowatts of the electric motor with just a push of the “IPAS” (Instant Power Assist System) button on the P1’s steering wheel.McLaren hasn't said how fast the car is under electric-only power but says the performance is still “strong.” The amount of power delivered under IPAS will depend on how much charge remains in the onboard lithium-ion battery, which is sandwiched between the engine and seats, and adds about 254kg to the weight of the car.When the battery is empty, the V-8 will automatically start to maintain drive and charge the battery, although the battery can also be topped up under braking or by using an ordinary household plug. The P1, then, is essentially a plug-in hybrid.The electric motor is mounted directly onto the engine, and all drive is channelled through the same dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox found in the 12C and out to the rear wheels. Note, a further benefit is that the electric motor also allows faster upshifts of the gearbox.This is achieved through the application of instant negative torque at the point of shift, making the engine revs drop as quickly and efficiently as possible to the required engine speed for the upshift.You’ll notice that the P1’s steering wheel features a second button marked “DRS.” This is to activate the car’s Drag Reduction System, which uses technology similar to that employed on current Formula One cars.Speed can be increased by reducing the amount of drag--up to 23 per cent--on the P1's rear wing, which is done by changing its angle. The system immediately deactivates when the button is released, or if the driver touches the brake pedal.Also found in the P1’s relatively spartan cabin is a digital gauge cluster, which adopts a race-inspired digital dash readout. The display has multiple modes including a “Race” mode, where a bank of lights across the top illuminate green, followed by red and finally blue.These act as a shift indicator, as in McLaren’s own Formula One race cars. As we already know, the car’s construction is all carbon-fibre. Built around what McLaren likes to call the MonoCage, the P1 uses a carbon-fibre monocoque and roof structure to form a strong safety cage.The structure of the MonoCage, unlike the 12C’s MonoCell, also serves to guide air into the engine through an integral roof snorkel and air intake ducts, saving further weight.The P1 is highly aerodynamic in its design, carrying a drag coefficient of just 0.34 despite generating 598kg of downforce at speed. Part of that equation is the aforementioned active rear wing, which can extend close to 305 millimetres for maximum performance.Look for further information on the P1 to be released in the coming weeks, ahead of the car’s official world debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show on March 5. We’ll bring you live pictures and details from the reveal as part of our complete Geneva show coverage.www.motorauthority.com  

Though the McLaren P1’s official debut will take place at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, McLaren is still showing off its P1 prototype. The car made its Middle East debut in Bahrain last month, so McLaren took advantage of a vacant Bahrain International Circuit to grab some stills of the car.Bahrain is both the Middle East base for McLaren Automotive and the home of its largest shareholder, Mumtalakat. It’s no secret that a significant number of P1 sales will take place in the region, too, adding to the urgency of the car’s reveal.As McLaren’s regional director for the Middle East, Mark Harrison, explained, “...we are very excited to be bringing the McLaren P1 to the United Arab Emirates, where our retail partner, Al Habtoor Motors, has confirmed a huge interest in the unique car.”While we can’t give you any new information on the P1 since we posted interior shots yesterday, we thought these high-quality stills of McLaren’s latest effort were worth sharing. We hope these will hold you until we can bring you all the P1's inner secrets as part of our 2013 Geneva Motor Show coverage.www.motorauthority.com  

With just three weeks remaining until the P1 supercar has its official debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, McLaren is teasing bits and pieces of its construction to keep the car in the public eye.

It was previewed at the Paris motor show and is now testing extensively, including at the Nurburgring. McLaren promises it will top the world as a track-ready road car, although a cabin with only left-hand drive means it won't be sold in Australia. 

The McLaren P1 was the standout at this year's biggest European show, promising to re-write the rules for supercars and taking the fight right up to Ferrari and Lamborghini, and even challenging Bugatti. McLaren is holding back on exact performance details for its new car, but the name tells you everything. It's called the P1 because in Formula One shorthand that stands for Position 1. "Twenty years ago we raised the supercar performance bar with the McLaren F1 and our goal with the McLaren P1 is to redefine it once again," promises McLaren supremo, Ron Dennis. The P1 is a much more radical looking car than McLaren's first serious road-car effort, the MP4-12C, and it also incorporates F1-style aerodynamics that promise racecar grip and cornering levels. The car is expected to be powered by a upgraded version of McLaren's existing turbocharged V8 - perhaps with around 550 kiloWatts - and to hit at least 350km/h, but no-one is confirming anything. The 1980s F1 was the world's fastest road car at the time but McLaren says its targets have changed. "Our aim is not necessarily to be fastest in absolute top speed, but to be the quickest and most rewarding series production road car on a circuit," says Antony Sheriff, managing director McLaren Automotive. "It's the true test of a super car's all-round ability and a much more important technical statement." The P1 is known to be a two-seater with a fresh take on the McLaren carbon fibre chassis already used in the 12C, and it’s fitted with an F1-style drag reduction system to improve its top speed while generating massive cornering grip using an adjustable rear wing. But it will not be cheap. "Pricing is still to be confirmed. We expect the UK pricing to be in the 700,000-800,000 pound range, plus taxes," says Greg Duncan, who is responsible for McLaren in Australia. That points to a local pricetag in the $1.5 million range, or even higher, but he refuses to be drawn. "Australian prices are unknown. An announcement should be made by the end of the year," Duncan says. But there is no shortage of interest. "We have many hundreds of people on the list and we’re having a solid stream of visitors coming in and we’ve already started to take significant deposits," says Duncan. "We have some very keen interest. Some have already been to the factory and were blown away." McLaren has yet to confirm timing for its first deliveries but Duncan is hopeful. "The P1 is going to go into production next year and we’ll have something the year after that - but I can’t tell you about that yet."  

The eternal city is a perpetual snarl, with parking slots as rare as South Sydney premierships and one piece of road - the giant roundabout at the Arch d'Triumph - where all car insurance is automatically void.The Smart ForTwo could have been invented just for Paris, and not just because it's the four-wheeled equivalent of a handbag.But Paris is also the city of lights and the lights are shining this week on the Mondial de L'Automobile - Paris motor show to you and me - and an astounding lineup of dream machines and showroom bait.Europe is really struggling and the show is one way for carmakers to talk about their future plans and dreams, while trying to ignore for a few days the reality of a sales slide that's topped 10 per cent through most of this year.It's easy to be overwhelmed by a motoring menu that's top heavy with cordon bleu cars, but there is also a lot of meat-and-spuds stuff that will be relevant to Australia over the next few years.So, what did I see that I like in Paris? The star car, for me, has to be the McLaren P1. Anyone who knows a bit about motorsport will know that P1 is shorthand for position one, not just another silly jumble of numbers and letters like the company's current MP4-12C.The P1 is designed and developed to be best-of-the-best in the supercar world with the promise of a 340km/h top speed, ultimate luxury, and looks to shut down any Ferrari.McLaren turned the supercar business upside-down in the 1980s with its landmark F1, with cars still selling for more than $1.5 million second hand, and everything points to the P1 repeating the dose.Then there is the Jaguar F-Type. It's far more affordable, at least for people who can afford at least $200,000, with great looks and the promise of performance to match a Porsche.The F proves that Jaguar is finally back to its best - did I mention the millions from India that have funded the turnaround? - with a car that's also coming next month to Sydney. On the concept car front, the home teams at Paris always go all-out for something special.For 2012, the Peugeot Onyx is the head-turning supermodel. It looks great and makes all sorts of promises on the performance angle. But, like so many chic concepts in the past from Peugeot and Renault, it has about as much chance of reaching the road as finding a parking spot in Paris. Then we come to the real stuff at Paris, and two cars stand out from the crowd.First is the Volkswagen Golf, the car called the Mark 7. It's a total overhaul of the Volkswagen group's global flagship, which has to do the heavy lifting as it aims to overtake Toyota and General Motors in the next five years to become the world's leading carmaker.The Golf looks sharp and refined, much more than just the tizzie and a facelift for the current car, and I'm driving it next week to see if it delivers on the promises.Then there is the Hyundai i30 three-door hatch. It's a good looking car that would be a huge hit in Australia, if only Hyundai would get serious - as Renault plans, with the chic new Clio that's also unveiled in Paris - about taking cars from Europe and not just relying on the low-cost supply line to home base in Korea.

The McLaren P1, hailed by many as the successor to the legendary McLaren F1, will star for the brand at Paris motor show. McLaren has released few firm details so far, but some have emerged reportedly based on discussions McLaren had with prospective buyers during the recent Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. If true, those reports stack up to the P1's modified version of the MP4-12C's 3.8-litre V8 delivering 599kW, but lifting it to 718kW with help from a high-tech Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) that captures brake energy to feed two F1-style 80,000rpm flywheels to generate an extra 119kW. On a recent visit to Sydney, McLaren’s Asia-Pacific regional director Ian Gorsuch was reluctant to talk about the P1’s outputs, but said the brand didn’t play a numbers game. “We don’t get into the game of highest power figures,” Gorsuch said. “At McLaren we don’t believe that if a competitor has 1000 (horsepower) we have to have 2000. “You can do that with a muscle car. Throw lots of bits in there, bolt four engines together. But there is no real technology in that. “The P1 is about how it delivers power, how it handles. Technology is delivering performance with finesse.” Keys to that delivery will include next-gen aerodynamics and boosting the power-to-weight ratio by lightening the car as much as possible. The P1 is said to tip the scales at 1225kg, with McLaren's Monocell body – lightweight, but so robust they used the same car for three crash tests -- joined by innovative kilo-cutting technology. Some of the reports suggest heavy glass has been ditched in favour of the vacuum-formed acrylic used for fighter jet canopies – a non-stick surface that also means no need for windscreen wipers. That wouldn’t be surprising, since McLaren has already said the car will represent the height of their technology. A report on the Inside McLaren website suggests the P1 will have active aerodynamics to add to the enviable power-to-weight ratio, and that the result has helped it get around the UK’s Silverstone circuit an astonishing 24 seconds faster than any road-legal car before it. Acceleration figures being discussed are 0-100km/h in 2.8 seconds, then to 200km/h in just 6.9. The standing quarter-mile (400m) is said to take 9.1, and top speed of 385km/h. Gorsuch confirmed that P1 production would be limited to 500 cars. And the price? Anywhere up to $1.4 million.