After plenty of speculation and teaser images, the McLaren P1 has been revealed at the Paris Motor Show. While the car shown today is a design study for the long-anticipated McLaren F1 successor, we can expect the production car to debut next year and go on sale within 12 months. The P1 slots above the MP4-12C as the supercar maker’s halo car.
The McLaren P1 utilizes a carbon fiber monocoque and roof structure safety cage called a MonoCage, which is an evolution of the MP4-12C’s monocell. Carbon fiber body panels, like those found on the 1981 McLaren Grand Prix car and the F1, help reduce weight.
The P1 is expected to follow in the F1’s footsteps as the world’s “most exciting and most capable” supercar, the automaker says. Although the P1 will build on the F1’s performance envelope — including a top speed of at least 240 mph, the P1 is being engineered as “the quickest and most rewarding series production road car on a circuit,” McLaren says.
Although the McLaren P1 design study’s overall shape shows a family resemblance to the MP4-12C, its wild aerodynamics hint at the halo car’s much higher limits. McLaren claims the P1’s aerodynamics have been wind-tunnel-tested to provide as much as 1300 pounds of downforce “achieved well below maximum speed” or about five times the MP4-12C and on par with the 12C GT3 racer. The adjustable rear wing works with two adjustable underbody flaps mounted just ahead of the front wheels to stabilize the P1 during handling, braking, and straight-line high-speed driving. A smooth underbody also helps create downforce. Despite the impressive downforce, the P1′s achieves a drag coefficient of 0.34. The rear wing can also be used as an air brake and the P1′s exhaust heat shield is finished in gold leaf to better reflect heat.
Not only does the P1′s exposed carbon structure reveal how the air flow is directed, it also “breaks up the visual mass of the car” and emphasizes the car’s proportions. A roof duct and side air intakes help feed the engine. McLaren cites fighter jet canopies as the inspiration to the P1’s greenhouse with its large windshield. Overall the open cabin is said to provide good visibility for a supercar.
So why is it called the P1? That name refers to first place (or position one) in Grand Prix, where McLaren has achieved 180 victories over the past 46 years. Also, the McLaren F1 was originally known internally as Project 1.
While the MP4-12C is powered by a 616-hp, 443 lb-ft of torque twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-8, rumors suggest the P1 could get a 799-hp 5.0-liter V-8 engine. Expect the P1 to cost significantly more than the $241,800 MP4-12C coupe and $268,250 Spider convertible – at least $650,000. The P1’s performance, power, and price tag should make for an interesting comparison with other upcoming supercars from automakers like Porsche and Ferrari.
Stay tuned to Motor Trend for all your Paris Motor Show updates this week and be sure to check out our McLaren P1 Supercar First Look here to get another perspective on the car’s design.
Source: McLaren
The McLaren P1 utilizes a carbon fiber monocoque and roof structure safety cage called a MonoCage, which is an evolution of the MP4-12C’s monocell. Carbon fiber body panels, like those found on the 1981 McLaren Grand Prix car and the F1, help reduce weight.
The P1 is expected to follow in the F1’s footsteps as the world’s “most exciting and most capable” supercar, the automaker says. Although the P1 will build on the F1’s performance envelope — including a top speed of at least 240 mph, the P1 is being engineered as “the quickest and most rewarding series production road car on a circuit,” McLaren says.Although the McLaren P1 design study’s overall shape shows a family resemblance to the MP4-12C, its wild aerodynamics hint at the halo car’s much higher limits. McLaren claims the P1’s aerodynamics have been wind-tunnel-tested to provide as much as 1300 pounds of downforce “achieved well below maximum speed” or about five times the MP4-12C and on par with the 12C GT3 racer. The adjustable rear wing works with two adjustable underbody flaps mounted just ahead of the front wheels to stabilize the P1 during handling, braking, and straight-line high-speed driving. A smooth underbody also helps create downforce. Despite the impressive downforce, the P1′s achieves a drag coefficient of 0.34. The rear wing can also be used as an air brake and the P1′s exhaust heat shield is finished in gold leaf to better reflect heat.
Not only does the P1′s exposed carbon structure reveal how the air flow is directed, it also “breaks up the visual mass of the car” and emphasizes the car’s proportions. A roof duct and side air intakes help feed the engine. McLaren cites fighter jet canopies as the inspiration to the P1’s greenhouse with its large windshield. Overall the open cabin is said to provide good visibility for a supercar.
So why is it called the P1? That name refers to first place (or position one) in Grand Prix, where McLaren has achieved 180 victories over the past 46 years. Also, the McLaren F1 was originally known internally as Project 1.While the MP4-12C is powered by a 616-hp, 443 lb-ft of torque twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-8, rumors suggest the P1 could get a 799-hp 5.0-liter V-8 engine. Expect the P1 to cost significantly more than the $241,800 MP4-12C coupe and $268,250 Spider convertible – at least $650,000. The P1’s performance, power, and price tag should make for an interesting comparison with other upcoming supercars from automakers like Porsche and Ferrari.
Stay tuned to Motor Trend for all your Paris Motor Show updates this week and be sure to check out our McLaren P1 Supercar First Look here to get another perspective on the car’s design.
Source: McLaren
Source : wot[dot]motortrend[dot]com
0 Comment:
Speak up your mind
Tell us what you're thinking... !