McLaren P1 concept revealed ahead of Paris debut

With the Paris Motor Show just a week away, McLaren has taken the wraps off the P1 concept that will take shape as the much awaited much anticipated successor to F1 supercar. The P1 study blends the classic stance of the McLaren F1, the styling cues of the MP4-12C and the lines that are derived from the aerodynamics inspired from a Formula 1 car. The aerodynamically significant areas of the concept are finished in matte black while the stylized bodywork uses the trademark orange finish. The headlights mimic the McLaren logo, while the roof and bonnet scoops are a trademark McLaren F1 feature. 

Insiders hint that the McLaren P1 will weigh less than 1300 kg and put out over 960 PS of power. However, McLaren says that the goal of the P1 project is to make a car that manages to shatter lap times than top speed records. This is pretty much the same attitude every new supercar maker has these days, as the emphasis is not on the top whack anymore but on the handling dynamics and usable power instead. 

The P1’s production spec model will sit on top of McLaren’s current flagship models, the MP4-12C and the MP4-12C Spider. More importantly, the production model of the P1 – which will look very similar to the concept seen here – will be launched as a celebration of McLaren’s 50th anniversary.

Antony Sheriff, managing director of the operation, says, “Our aim is not necessarily to be the fastest in absolute top speed but to be the quickest and most rewarding series-production road car on a circuit. It is the true test of a supercar’s all-around ability and a much more important technical statement. It will be the most exciting, most capable, most technologically advanced and most dynamically accomplished supercar ever made.”

McLaren Automotive executive chairman Ron Dennis says, “The P1 will be the result of 50 years of racing and road car heritage. Twenty years ago, we raised the supercar performance bar with the McLaren F1 and our goal with P1 is to redefine it once again.”