Autoblog

McLaren shows P1 at private event in Beverly Hills, reveals more details

Michael Harley — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, McLaren

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.

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.
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.
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.
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 (the successor to the Enzo). That said, the British automaker expects its P1 to be the world's quickest production vehicle around Nürburgring.
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.

McLaren shows P1 at private event in Beverly Hills, reveals more details originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

McLaren reveals P1 design study, F1 successor takes shape

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Design/Style

McLaren has released the first official images of its P1 design study, the supercar precursor that we've all been waiting for. This stunner will officially debut at the Paris Motor Show next week.

Calling the P1 McLaren's next "ultimate supercar," McLaren says this concept takes its inspiration from the company's rich racing heritage. Visually, we certainly see the connection with the late, great McLaren F1 - the concept seems to blend the proportions of the F1 with the overall design language of the current MP4-12C. With an exceedingly brief, snubbed nose flowing into wildly sculpted rear bodywork (we're especially fond of the rear three-quarter view), the P1 is more dramatic and compelling than it's relatively staid MP4-12C little brother, truly selling the supercar idea without having to move a wheel. That the concept is rendered in a searing shade of orange metallic doesn't hurt, either.

Of course, McLaren isn't giving us any hints on the technical details for the eventual production version of the P1, though it does speak to the intent of the final car. The P1 is not intended to be the world's fastest vehicle in terms of "absolute top speed," shooting, according to Ron Dennis, to be, "the quickest and most rewarding series production road car on a circuit." That's supercar snobbery - a cockiness based on purity of purpose, rather than numbers on a specification sheet - that is bound to resonate with car geeks everywhere.

After the Paris showing of the P1, we're told it will be one year until the production version of the range-topping supercar shows up, with an on-sale date sometime in the last part of 2013. Look for much more information about the P1, live from our Paris team, next week.

Continue reading McLaren reveals P1 design study, F1 successor takes shape

McLaren reveals P1 design study, F1 successor takes shape originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

McLaren hints at P12 supercar with novel teaser

Zach Bowman — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Paris Motor Show, Luxury

McLaren channeled its inner Tron for a new supercar teaser. The quick clip, titled "McLaren vs Aerodynamics" shows little more than a few beams of light skittering around the shape of a car. As you may recall, the company is set to unveil its next model at the rapidly approaching Paris Motor Show. Details are about as scarce as hen's teeth at the moment, but word has it that the P12 may boast an 800-horsepower variant of the same twin-turbo V8 found at the heart of the MP4-12C. In addition to the gasoline mill, the P12 is rumored to make use of a powerful kinetic energy recovery system good for an extra 200-hp bump.

Look for more information to become available once the P12 debuts in Paris on September 27. Until then, check out the teaser video below for a better look.

Continue reading McLaren hints at P12 supercar with novel teaser

McLaren hints at P12 supercar with novel teaser originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

McLaren to unveil F1 successor at Monaco GP

Noah Joseph — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, MISC

Legends come and legends go when it comes to supercars, but few remain etched as indelibly in our hearts and minds as the McLaren F1. Still capable of trouncing 99% of the performance machinery being built today, the legendary F1 is one icon whose successor has been anticipated arguably more than any other.

Since the end of its production run in 1998, McLaren has gone on to produce the SLR for Mercedes-Benz and branch out on its own once again with the MP4-12C (pictured above in Monte Carlo). But as capable as these machines have proven, everyone's been waiting for the F1's true successor to come rolling out of Woking. And now, like a child anticipating Christmas, we just may have that launch date to look forward to.

According to reports, McLaren Automotive is planning to unveil the new seven-figure, 800-horsepower hyper-car not at a major auto show and not at its own dedicated event, but at no less a celebration of speed than the Monaco Grand Prix.

The 70th running of the most iconic of Formula One races, which McLaren has won no less than 15 times (more than any other team), is on the calendar for May 27, so if the rumors prove accurate, we've only got a few months to wait.

McLaren to unveil F1 successor at Monaco GP originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

McLaren F1 successor to pack KERS into clean-sheet design

Noah Joseph — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Technology, UK, MISC

If you were impressed by the MP4-12C, well, you should be. It's an otherworldly performance machine. But we ain't seen nothing yet from McLaren Automotive, which is gearing up to launch an even more capable supercar.

Whereas the 12C is targeted at the Ferrari 458 Italia, the next project down the pipeline is more along the lines of a successor to the iconic McLaren F1, a car to rival the likes of the Bugatti Veyron and Pagani Huayra - that elite class of million-dollar hypercar you're not likely to see anywhere but on Rodeo Drive, at the Monte Carlo harborfront or a closed-off section of highway along the Persian Gulf.

According to the UK's CAR magazine, McLaren is expected to employ a version of the same 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 developed for the 12C, but with 799 horsepower on tap and one crucial addition: Kenetic Energy Recovery System, a.k.a. KERS. That could make the vehicle codenamed P12 (following the P11 handle carried by the 12C while in development) one of the first supercars to use the system designed for Formula 1 and currently being developed for road use by Ferrari, Porsche and Jaguar for their upcoming supercars.

Early prototypes reportedly incorporated a big red KERS boost button on a steering wheel closer in size and shape to an F1 cockpit's than a conventional rim, but if you were hoping for a 1+2 seating arrangement with central driving position like in the original McLaren F1, we'll have to stop you right there, as the packaging of such a layout reportedly proved prohibitive for the new P12.

As dynamically polished as the 12C emerged, its design was derided as somewhat derivative. That's largely because McLaren didn't bring celebrated designer Frank Stephenson on board until the car's design was already pretty much finalized. This reportedly being Stephenson's first clean-sheet design since arriving at McLaren HQ in Woking, we're expecting big things when the P12 debuts sometime this year.

McLaren F1 successor to pack KERS into clean-sheet design originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Rumormill: McLaren planning hybrid supercar

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Supercars, Rumormill

McLaren F1 LM - Click above for high-res image gallery

McLaren has put up a job posting for a Senior Engineer for Powertrain Hybrid Technology on its official website, which may offer a few clues as to where the automaker may be heading in the near future for its road cars. As far as rumors go, this one seems pretty solid. According to an unnamed spokesperson quoted by Autocar:

It (hybrid technology) is something we want as a forward-thinking, technology-driven company. We have been considering it for future projects. All the advert means is that we are looking for a senior engineer in powertrain hybrid technology. Read into it what you will.

One possibility is that McLaren will attempt to adapt the KERS system from its Formula 1 race cars for street use. It's widely agreed upon that McLaren's KERS implementation is the best in F1 and both BMW and Ferrari are also thought to be working on KERS for future road cars.

Within the next few years, McLaren is expected to introduce a couple of new supercars, including a replacement for the current SLR, codenamed P11, and a successor to the famed F1 supercar from the mid '90s that's currently known as the P12.

Gallery: McLaren F1 LM

[Source: McLaren via Autocar]

Rumormill: McLaren planning hybrid supercar originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

New McLaren supercar expected for 2010

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:13:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Mercedes-Benz, Rendered Speculation, Rumormill

With the mostly unloved Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren set to get the official axe in 2009, the path is clear for the next McLaren-branded supercar to be unveiled. Expected to be built at its facility in Woking, England, McLaren has plans for the as-yet-unnamed vehicle to compete with Ferrari's incredible F430. Rumored to be powered by a 550-horsepower V8 engine featuring a basic design snagged from Mercedes and built by Mahle (that of the former Cosworth tuning fame), the power-to-weight ratio should handily outdo that of the Prancing Horse. Shortly after the new coupe codenamed P11 is unveiled, a convertible version is also expected.

True hardcore McLaren enthusiasts should mark 2012 as the year that McLaren returns to form with a proper replacement for its awe-inspiring F1 of a few years back. Powered by a lightweight version of the P11 architecture, this car codenamed the P12 is expected to be powered by a V10 engine with over 600 horsepower. The waiting list will likely start right... about... now.

[Source: Autocar]

New McLaren supercar expected for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 May 2008 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments