GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: McLaren P1 unveiled

Full photo gallery of the McLaren P1 at motoring.com.au

The final production version of the McLaren P1 super car has been officially revealed online ahead of its public debut at the Geneva motor show next week, and the numbers are astonishing.

Though a specific 0-100km/h time has not been released (McLaren may be waiting for Ferrari to show its hand via the new F150/F70 super car at Geneva), McLaren says the P1 dispatches the triple digit run in "under 3 seconds" and will hit 200km/h in less than seven seconds.

With an electronically limited top speed of 350km/h, the P1 is 23 per cent faster than its McLaren F1 forebear, and will accelerate from 0-300km/h in less than 17 seconds (5 seconds quicker than the F1).

Simply put, the F1-inspired ballistic Brit is off the charts.

To "maintain exclusivity" McLaren will build just 375 units of the P1, priced in the UK from £866,000 ($A1.28 million).

Despite its race track-ready credentials, the P1 also sports green credentials via its petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. It’s able to deliver zero emissions driving in heavy traffic, with an electric range of up to 20km at speeds of around 50km/h. Or as McLaren puts it, "More than enough for an owner to enter, for example, a city centre Zero Emissions Zone, have dinner and return home".

However, the meat of the power system is McLaren's mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine that bangs out a whopping 542kW at 7500rpm and 720Nm at 4000rpm.

This rises to 673kW and 900Nm with the assistance of a 131kW/260Nm electric motor (dubbed Instant Power Assist System or IPAS). Developed by McLaren's own electronics team, it features a plug-in recharge system that take around two hours to fully recharge.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and McLaren reckons the electric motor contributes to faster upshifts as the motor's revs can drop far more quickly than a petrol engine alone.

The electric motor is a vital part of the car's performance and even improves deceleration under heavy braking, as the electric motor provides additional drag torque to slow the P1. It also recovers energy to the high-density 96kg battery that would otherwise be lost to the brakes.

Other tricks up the new McLaren’s sleeve include an F1-inspired DRS (Drag Reduction System) that enables the car to reach its 350km/h maximum velocity, and a powerful braking system developed by the McLaren F1 Team's brake partner, Akebono.

McLaren says the brakes have more in common with a GT3 race car than a regular road car, comprising a new take on the carbon ceramic disc, "which has previously seen service in space, but never before used on a road car".

McLaren claims the brakes are stronger and have better thermal dynamics than conventional carbon ceramic brake rotors, aided by a special ceramic layer that also gives the discs "an attractive mirrored finish".

The P1 will be fully kitted out with luxury features including a high-end Meridian stereo, climate control and satellite navigation.

A choice of colour and trims will be offered as standard and options will be limited to fitted luggage and "bespoke content" available through McLaren Special Operations.

As these images of the final production car show, the McLaren P1 hasn’t changed much from the concept car shown at the 2012 Paris motor show in September. The only significant change made, based on public reaction to the concept car, is the addition of ducts positioned fore of the front wheels; also designed to improve downforce and cooling.

Full photo gallery of the McLaren P1 at motoring.com.au

For our full coverage head to motoring.com.au for the latest Geneva motor show news

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