GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: McLaren P1 interior images revealed

McLaren’s new P1 supercar places function over form like the cockpit of a fighter jet, but is still - in its own efficient way - strikingly beautiful.

These are the first images of the interior of the British supercar brand’s upcoming P1, which will make its global debut at the Geneva motor show on March 5.

McLaren proclaims the P1 is designed to be “the best driver’s car in the world on road and track” and will utilise “ground-breaking technology” beneath its svelte carbon-fibre exterior to help the driver feel both comfortable and in control.

It’s for this reason, says McLaren, that the interior of the P1 is fully focussed on the driver. The ‘shrink wrapped’ design theme is entirely free of clutter with unnecessary switchgear, cocooning the driver beneath a glass canopy aimed at optimising visibility and a windscreen that is deeper than it is wide.

Despite its minimalist appearance, the P1 actually comprises an extensive level of amenity, with equipment including a race-replica Alcantara and carbon-fibre steering wheel, satellite-navigation, climate-control and a bespoke Meridian audio package.

The P1’s interior hosts two occupants in ultra-thin carbon-fibre racing seats weighing just 10.5kg each. The seat backs are fixed at 28 degrees but can be set to 32 degrees “to give the track driver more helmet room”, while seat height will be set by McLaren for individual drivers.

Carbon-fibre is also used extensively throughout the cabin, including the dashboard, floor, headlining, doors, rockers and centre stack.

The non-lacquered finish further reduces weight, saving a further 1.5kg. To that end, there is also no sound insulation and no trim coverings where they are not required, leaving many of the cabin’s components exposed. Carpet is offered as an option.

The release of first three interior images of the P1 is the latest instalment in McLaren’s pre-launch program, which earlier this month included a video of the P1 in profile, its digital 'race-inspired' dash and some footage of a disguised pre-production car at speed

Expected to retail for $1.2 million, the P1 will be a successor to the iconic McLaren F1 supercar of the '90s and is likely to be powered by a modified version of the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 from the MP4-12C tuned to output around 525kW – somewhere between the Lamborghini Aventador and the Ferrari F12.

The car will also leverage McLaren's F1 powertrain know-how with the addition of a quasi-hybrid KERS system, believed to pump out 120kW surges of power for brief periods.

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