McLaren P1 Supercar Concept in 2014

The P1 is actually the second new McLaren in recent years – the first was the MP4-12C – but the P1 is a completely different animal. Where the MP4 is a competitor to the Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche 911 GT3, and Lamborghini Gallardo, the P1 is looking to eat those car's upcoming bigger brothers for breakfast; it will vie for bragging rights with Ferrari's Enzo replacement (the LaFerrari), the Porsche 918, and the Aventador-based 50th anniversary Lamborghini (the Veneno).

The P1 will use a modified version of the MP4's 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine. Changes to the V-8 help increase cooling and durability, as well as – most important – output. In the P1, the eight-cylinder will be good for 727 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque, up from the 617 hp and 440 lb-ft the MP4 is rated at. Better yet, P1 drivers will be able access the car's torque from 4500 rpm. However, a big V-8 isn't all the P1 is packing. Between the mid-mounted engine and the passenger compartment resides a 212-pound battery pack that, when fully charged, can propel the P1 for up to 6.2 miles with the gas engine shut off. Combine the two power sources, and output comes to a massive 903 hp and 664 lb-ft. McLaren is also taking advantage of the stored electric thrust by equipping the P1 with an Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) feature that instructs the car to direct all available battery power to the motor for a surge of extra boost. To recharge the battery pack, the P1 uses the electric motor as a generator during braking, or drivers can plug in at a high-voltage charger while parked. Charge times are either two hours on a normal charge, or just 10 minutes using a "pit lane charging quick charge" function. To put things in perspective, the next-most-powerful PHEV is the Ford Fusion Energi, which makes 715 fewer hp than the McLaren.

speedmodif.com

To get maximum power, the P1 is aided by massive amounts of downforce—more than 1300 pounds, if McLaren is to be believed. That’s five times as much as is produced by the MP4-12C and roughly the same sort of downward push generated by the MP4-12C GT3 race car. In times where such brutal forces are surplus to requirements, drivers can increase or decrease the amount generated by adjusting the rear wing’s angle of attack. (Think of it as your own personal Formula 1 drag-reduction system, and you don’t need to be within a second of anybody to use it.)

McLaren's goal was to "produce the best driver's car in the world on road and track." With the P1, it may have achieved its goal.

source : Autoguide.com