McLaren has revealed all on the P1 hypercar,
including full details of its staggering 903bhp petrol-electric
powertrain, which allows for 0-124mph in less than seven seconds –
quicker than a Bugatti Veyron Super Sports. The outlandish design has made the transition from concept to
production almost unchanged. There are new brake cooling ducts ahead of
the front wheels, but you won’t spot too many other tweaks. The P1 will be officially unveiled at next week’s Geneva Motor Show,
and uses a twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 – developed from the one in the 12C –
and an electric motor. Both send power to the rear wheels through a
seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The 3.8-litre engine delivers 727bhp at 7,500rpm and 720Nm of torque from 4,000rpm, while the electric motor produces 176bhp and maximum torque of 260Nm from zero rpm. Performance is staggering, with 0-62mph in under three seconds and
0-186mph in less than 17, which is nine seconds quicker than the McLaren
F1 hypercar of the nineties. Top speed is limited to 217mph. Despite
these awesome figures, the hybrid powertrain allows the P1 to emit less
than 200g/km of CO2 – only slightly more than the Toyota GT 86. An IPAS (Instant Power Assist System) button on the steering wheel
allows for the full 176bhp from the electric motor to be instantly
available, providing an electric boost like the KERS system on a Formula
One car. Another F1-inspired feature is the Drag Reduction System (DRS).
Activated by another button on the steering wheel, it reduces the angle
of the wing to lower drag by 23 per cent. An E-mode is available for the powertrain, which allows the P1 to run
for around six miles on electric power alone. The battery is charged by
the engine, but can also be plugged in for a full recharge in about two
hours. Just 375 P1s will be sold across Europe, and each will cost from
£866,000 – pitching it against the new Ferrari Enzo successor, which is
also set to debut at Geneva. (autoexpress)
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