McLaren P1 gets 903bhp

McLaren has revealed that their new supercar – the McLaren P1 – will deliver 903bhp and have emissions below 200g/km.

The McLaren P1 will get 727bhp from its 3.8 litre V8 with an additional 176bhp coming from an electric motor for a combined power delivery of 903bhp, with the V8 contributing 531lb/ft of torque and the electric motor an instant 192lb/ft for a combined torque of 664lb/ft at 4000rpm.

The boost from the electric motor is instantly available at the flick of a button on the steering wheel – McLaren call it Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) – which instantly throws more additional power to aid the McLaren’s V8 than a pair of Fiestas can manage. McLaren say the system delivers its power more like a naturally aspirated engine than a turbocharged one.

The V8 engine in the P1 is a new version of the M838T in the 12C with a unique engine block casting to house the electric motor and all drive is channelled through the seven-speed dual-clutch ‘box to the back wheels – and the P1 can even turn in to an EV for up to six miles, running on just the electric motor.

The electric motor is powered by a 96kg battery pack mounted on the underbody of the high-strength carbon fibre MonoCage chassis which seals the unit in the P1 and it gets complex cooling to ensure all the cells are at their most efficient temperature.

The batter is charged by the engine, but you can also treat the P1 as plug-in EV for city use, with the battery garnering enough power from a two hour charge to deliver its six mile EV range.

The P1 also comes with a Formula 1-inspired DRS (drag reduction system) – operated by a button on the steering wheel – which trims the angle of the rear wing by up to 23 per cent at higher speeds to reduce drag.

Still lots more detail to come on the McLaren P1, some before, and some at, the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

By Cars UK