McLaren P1
When one reviews the McLaren P1, one does not simply talk about the sort of things you do with a regular, run-of-the-mill family hatchback or even supercar. The P1 has no boot to speak of, and it's about as practical as an unleaded pencil. Yet, none of that matters.
Why? Because the McLaren P1 is no ordinary car. This is a game changer.
The reason I say this is because it'll drive around town emitting 0 g/km of CO2, yet it'll accelerate faster than any Lamborghini, Porsche, or Ferrari ever produced.
How does it achieve this?
The McLaren P1 is a hybrid. Not like a Toyotas Pruis - think space shuttle hybrid. This is a car so advanced that it wouldn't look out of place 20 years into the future. It is powered by a mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, paired with an electric motor for a combined power output of 903 bhp and 663 lb /ft of torque.
The electric motor produces 193 bhp and 192 lb /ft of torque, which is about the same as a hot hatch. Drivers have the option to use this electric motor for regular driving, and McLaren claims it'll run for 10 kilometres in full E mode. That's impressive when you consider all of the electrics and technology the motor has to power on top of the rear wheels. Fire up the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 with the push of a button, and the petrol engine charges the battery, and works in harmony to produce a frankly dirty power figure - over 900 bhp.
That's a lot of horsepower. To put that into consideration, the Bugatti Veyron SuperSport has 1200 bhp, but it weighs over 800 kg more. Heck, the P1 weighs less than a family estate, at just 1,395 kg. That gives it a considerable power to weight ratio - 644 bhp/tonne, to be exact.
The result of all of this is startling. Here's some numbers - 0 -62 mph in 2.8 seconds, 0 - 120 mph in under 6.5 seconds, 0 - 186 mph in under 17 seconds, a top speed of 217 mph. To put that into context, the McLaren P1 will accelerate faster from 0 - 120 mph than a hot hatch will from 0 - 62.
It boggles the mind.
And then you turn to the technology and the suspension. Power is sent to the rear wheels only, which makes the P1 a true drivers car. This is the first carbon-bodied road car, and there's next to no metal in the body work at all. This car uses materials not found in any other supercar on the planet. Active aerodynamics, a fully adjustable hydro-pneumatic suspension, a fully adjustable rear wing, and lots of other trickeries enable to the P1 to not just demolish a track, but be civilised and comfortable on the open road. Ina recent road test on Top Gear, the Jeremy Clarkson praised the P1'as ride.
In every way, this car is a marvel. It's a triumph of British engineering. It's the fastest hybrid on the planet. It's more economical than a diesel estate yet it's faster than a Lamborghini Aventador, F12 Berlinetta or a Koenigsegg CCX.
Of course, McLaren isn't the only car manufacturer to be working on a hybrid though.
Volvo V40 vs Kia Cee’d GT
BMW M235i vs. BMW 435i M Sport
Peugeot 308 1.6 T 153 Allure vs. Ford Focus 1.6 T EcoBoost Titanium
Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 CRD vs. Range Rover Sport TDV6 SE
Signin Required
Please sign in with a social account to make a comment
(your comment will be automatically submitted after you sign in)
Please Enter Your Comment