P1 (United Kingdom, 2013)

McLaren will unveil the production version of the P1 at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The only major change in design in comparison with the concept is the addition of cooling ducts ahead of the front wheels.

The P1 is made almost entirely from carbon fiber and has some of the most advanced aerodynamics of any road car ever. The passenger area is made from a new Monocage that directs air to the dynamic rear wing. The technology was developed from the Monocell that is used in the MP4-12C. To further reduce weight, the P1 uses single piece clamshells over the front and rear of the body. The P1 produces 600kg of downforce, which is five times more than an MP4-12C and close to an MP4-12C GT3.

The P1 produces a total of 903hp and 664lb-ft thanks to the combination of the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 from the 12C and a 176hp electric motor.

The engine is an upgraded version of the M838T V8 from the 12C with improved cooling and better durability. The block has a unique casting to fit the electric motor. By itself, the engine produces 727hp and 531lb-ft. That is over 100hp better than the 2013 12C.

The electric motor produces 176hp and 192lb-ft that works from idle to improve acceleration. It allows the car to reach its peak 664lb-ft of torque at a mere 4,000rpm. The electric motor is an integral part of the engine, and its power goes directly to the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The electric motor also makes shifting faster by applying negative power to the engine during upshifts. That causes the revs to fall faster than they would naturally and increase shift speeds.

When off throttle, the electric motor scavenges power from the engine to charge the batteries. There is also a plug-in charger, which takes two hours to charge the car completely. The battery pack weighs 96kg and is mounted on the floor of the car in its own carbon fiber enclosure. For cooling, the battery has a dedicated coolant circuit that flows over each cell.

The new engine emits less than 200g/km of CO2 and will have a 10km pure electric range.

The car also gets F1-inspired DRS and IPAS systems, which both have activation buttons on the steering wheel. The Drag Reduction System opens a movable flap in the rear wing to lower drag by 23%. The system deactivates when the driver releases the button or touches the brakes.

IPAS forces the battery pack to expend all of its energy as quickly as possible, as long as the driver holds down the button.

With the Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) activated, which is akin to a push-to-pass system on a racecar, the P1 will get to 62mph (100km/h) in less than three seconds, to 124mph (200km/h) in less than seven seconds and to 186mph (300km/h) in less than 17 seconds, which is five seconds faster than the F1.