McLaren P1: The Power of Two

McLaren F1's successor, said one of our fellow motoring enthusiast, has to be one of the most exciting things we'll witness in the future. He was talking about it when the Woking based car maker was about to launch the 12C. 

His words are still resonating in our ears today, as the P1 comes closer to reality. P1, the McLaren F1's successor has managed to impress us consistently, right from the idea to the pictures, everything has been outright impressive, much like the latest announcement from McLaren. Keeping up with the current hypercar trend, the P1 too will have dual power sources.: A 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 petrol engine, good enough to produce 737PS of power at 7,500 and 720Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm and a lightweight electric motor, that produces 179PS of power and 260Nm of torque. Add both the figures and you get a total of 916PS of power and 900Nm of torque. 

The electric motor is mounted on the engine and the power is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. And you get an option of either running on full power (electric+petrol engine) or the motor alone. The latter mode produces zero emissions and can run for around 10km, without making much noise, mainly because the engine doesn't run. McLaren has very generously includes DRS (Drag Reduction System) and IPAS (Instant Power Assist System). While the former, like you Formula1 fans must know, reduces the drag and helps gain speed, the latter (IPAS) gives 179PS of instant power at the push of a button. Both these systems can be activated by the use of two steering wheel mounted buttons. 

The car will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.