McLaren invited us to private showing of its near production-ready P1 supercar
in Beverly Hills last night, offering its affluent customers a sneak
peek at what promises to be one of the finest - if not the best - sports
car in the world when it arrives later this year. While the development
team continues to hold many of the coupe's cards close to its chest, a
trickle of details emerged that only served to further whet our appetite
for the upcoming exotic.
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The Volcano Orange prototype (the same one shown at the Paris Motor Show)
is fully functional, with a complete operating powertrain. Before each
public display, a dark tint is applied to the windows to hide the
interior from view.
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The chassis utilizes a carbon-fiber passenger tub shared with the MP4-12C,
with aluminum structures front and rear for crash protection (carbon
fiber is lighter, but it doesn't crush and absorb energy as well). All
body panels are carbon-fiber and nearly all exposed metal (including the
mesh vents) is made of titanium alloy. The target curb weight is 1,300
kilograms, or less than 2,900 pounds.
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Based on a recorded engine soundtrack played at the event, and noting a
pair of intakes each likely feeding a turbocharger (we spotted genuine
gold foil in the engine bay to help to ward off heat), it is assumed
that the P1 will be fitted with a high-output version of the MP4-12C's
twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 making about 800 horsepower. A KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), similar to what is used in Formula One,
will provide a strong boost of even more horsepower for short periods.
While McLaren has avoided all-wheel drive, don't rule out some sort of
electric propulsion on the front axle.
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McLaren doesn't have the Porsche 918 Spyder in its crosshairs – it's too heavy and slow. Instead, it is aiming its sights directly at the upcoming Ferrari F150. That said, the British automaker expects its P1 to be the world's quickest production vehicle around Nürburgring.
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Assembly should start within the next several months. Only 500 copies will be made, with each costing about $1.2 million.
Expect more mechanical details about the McLaren P1 to be revealed in
the next few weeks, with the two-place interior finally unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
