McLaren P1 replacement set for 2024 debut

McLaren has confirmed the replacement for its flagship P1 is set to make its global debut in 2024 but has ruled out a pure-electric powertrain for its all-new hypercar.

Instead, according to McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt, the next model in its Ultimate Series after the roofless Elva will feature advanced electrification.

Speaking to

"Take the 765LT as an example. We know a lot of customers are going to take that to the track. If it were an EV, you would be looking at maybe 30 minutes of running time and then plugging it in until the next day. That's not a persuasive position."

Despite labelling the specification of hypercars like the Lotus Evija and Pininfarina Battista as "incredible", Flewitt said McLaren buyers focus on more than just numbers.

“We don’t build cars like that: pure 0-200kph or 0-300kph or even top speed. It’s not the car’s purpose, it’s a consequence of the attributes we’ve designed into it.”

Instead of battery power, the British supercar brand's boss suggests an advanced powertrain based around a plug-in hybrid will be the solution.

With the plug-in hybrid 570S-replacing Sport Series set to be launched later this year, many have suggested the P1 replacement could come with a hybrid version of that car's all-new twin-turbo V6.

This could see, for the first time, the P1 switch from rear-drive to all-wheel drive, with the McLaren hypercar rumoured to come with at least one electric motor driving the front axle.

As well as range and recharging issues, it's believed that one of the biggest obstacles impossible to overcome with a pure-electric P1 is the huge weight of a battery pack required for a range of up to 500km.

Despite still weighing more than a traditional V6 or V8 turbo powertrain, it's thought McLaren's next-gen plug-in hybrid system will weigh a fraction of an EV's big-battery set-up. Expect a kerb weight of around 1400kg.

Addressing the UK government's forthcoming proposal to ban petrol and diesel (including all hybrids) cars by 2035, Flewitt said he was lobbying for his company's supercars and hypercars to be exempt, but admits developing EVs might be necessary in the future.

“As a lower-volume manufacturer, our strategy is built around one platform. So we might need an EV platform for certain markets and a hybrid platform for other markets or sectors,” add the McLaren boss.