McLaren has finally unveiled the full performance figures of its all-new halo supercar. The latest McLaren P1 will be powered by a twin-turbo hybrid 3.8-liter V8 engine that produces a combined output of 903 hp. The P1 promises acceleration that will propel it from 0-to-60 mph in under three seconds, 124 mph in under 7 seconds, and 186 mph in less than 17 seconds before reaching a top speed of 218 mph.
A modest max velocity for a hypercar possessing 903 hp, McLaren actually imposed its on limited top speed, perhaps in an effort to manage the degradation of its specially developed Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires. Unrestricted, we expect its top speed to well exceed the original McLaren F1's 240 mph. What's more, the P1 is already a full five seconds quicker to 300 km/h (186 mph) than the McLaren F1.
McLaren's limited top speed indicates that the Woking-based manufacturer is focusing its attention on something beyond the cut and dry brutal stat figures.
"Our aim is not necessarily to be the fastest in absolute top speed," said McLaren Automotive managing director Antony Sheriff, "but to be the quickest and most rewarding series production road car on a circuit. This is the true test of a supercar's all-round ability and a much more important technical statement."
Given the McLaren's governed top speed, it's difficult to be completely confident that the McLaren will achieve the fastest lap times on a circuit when the mighty 1,200 hp Bugatti Veyron Supersport is easily capably of 267.81 mph any day of the week. While the McLaren can clear 186 mph in the high 16-seconds mark, it loses the acceleration contest as well. Texas-built Hennessey Venom GT was awarded a Guinness World Record earlier this year for performing a staggering run to 186 mph in just over 14 seconds.
In terms of powertrain, the highly anticipated Porsche 918 Spyder boasts a trick all-wheel-drive layout that sends power to the front wheels via two electric motors. In contrast, the McLaren has chosen to stick with rear-wheel-drive for its P1, which is sometimes regarded as an inferior layout when it's necessary to put down some power while exiting a corner.
In spite of all the disadvantages in the McLaren when it is stacked against its immediate rivals, the P1 does hold an ace up its sleeve -- physics-bending aerodynamics. While the Bugatti Veyron possesses an incredible amount of power that allows it to reach an astronomical top speed, its soap bar-like shape is not the most optimal and efficient.
A design unforgivingly dictated by wind affects, the P1 features a dual-stage active rear wing drag-reduction system (DRS) taken straight from the technology perfected in Formula 1 racing. The rear wing can extend by as much as 12 inches on the racetrack and five inches on the road. The spoiler's angle of maximum pitch is rated at 29 degrees. Other superior aerodynamics include a pair of flaps that are mounted under the body just under the front wheels. It's angle can actively adjust from zero to 60 degrees to improve downforce, ensuring the P1 sticks to the road like a LMP2 prototype straight out of Le Mans. Combined with all active aero elements available in the P1, it is capable of generating 1,323 lbs. of downforce. Best of all, the P1 does all that while gliding through the air with a drag coefficient of just 0.34.
The McLaren P1 will be priced at £866,000 (or roughly $1.3 million) and will only be available to just 375 privileged owners. Stay tuned as we learn more about the McLaren P1 ahead of the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
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