McLaren's first-ever press conference as a standalone carmaker was a memorable one.
Executive chairman Ron Dennis and managing director Antony Sheriff ushered in a fresh era in performance cars with the debut of the P1 at the Paris motor show. The P1 is the second model in the company's growing line, joining the MP4-12C. Engine details were not immediately revealed, but the production car is expected to be shown this spring in Geneva.
"We are, in small scale, a real car company now," Sheriff said.
The firm is on pace to deliver 1,200 cars by the end of the year.
One thing is clear: McLaren remains committed, nearly obsessed, with carbon fiber, as evidenced by the F1 and 12C.
"We've never actually not made a road car without carbon fiber," Sheriff said. "You might say we don't know how to make a car without carbon fiber."
Though the P1 concept was striking in its style, it's been designed with performance, not simply eye candy.
"There's really nothing here that doesn't have a purpose," Dennis said.
Finally, McLaren's singular F1 has a successor. Dripping in carbon-fiber and exuding Grand Prix gravitas, the P1 was revealed Thursday at the Paris motor show.
The P1 is a design study. A production version will debut in 2013—which is shaping up to be a busy year for McLaren. The order bank will open, and the P1 will arrive on the market. Not coincidentally, it's the 50th anniversary of the sporting venture founded by Bruce McLaren.
The P1 name is meant to evoke the F1, which as called Project 1, or P1, in early stages.
The P1 joins a growing McLaren lineup, which also has the MP4-12C and its Spider variant. While the P1 will be blindingly fast (engine specs have not been revealed), it will also focus on handling and agility.
“The McLaren P1 will be the result of 50 years of racing and road-car heritage,” McLaren Automotive executive chairman Ron Dennis said. "Twenty years ago, we raised the supercar performance bar with the McLaren F1, and our goal with the McLaren P1 is to redefine it once again."
Carbon Fiber
The P1 has a carbon-fiber monocoque. All of the lightweight body panels are made from the material, and they have scoops and ducts to enhance aerodynamics.
The Wing
This is one of the most striking features of the P1, and it adjusts for downforce and aero. It can extend 11.8 inches on the track, and 4.7 inches on the road. The pitch of the rear wing can increase to as much as 29 degrees, and it adjusts to help maximize straight-line speed. The wing can also function as an air brake. It was developed using McLaren's Formula One software and development methods.
Aerodynamics
Two flaps are mounted under the body, ahead of the front wheels. The doors, wheel arches and snorkel intake on the roof all work for the cause of aero. The coefficient of drag is 0.34. The P1's aerodynamic configuration was conceived by Simon Lacey, who previously oversaw that for the racing division. The P1 is estimated to create five times as much downforce as the MP4-12C, and registers at a level close to the 12C's GT3 racing variant.
Design
Penned by Frank Stephenson, the P1 evokes a Le Mans racer and has a fighter-jet profile with a teardrop-shaped glass house. The dramatic lines and carbon fiber are set off with LED headlights, and the taillights frame the rear diffuser. It's topped off with a gold-leaf heat shield around the exhausts. Cost was not a concern.
Powertrain
McLaren would not reveal specifics of the powertrain. But the mid-engine P1 is expected to run an upgraded version of the MP4-12C's twin-turbo V8. Power could hit about 800 hp, and with the strength of a kinetic-energy-recovery system, push out a staggering figure around 960 hp.
Safety
A feature called the MonoCage protects passengers and is made of carbon. It also channels air into the engine for cooling, and the front and rear panels are attached to the structure, forming a spinal connection.
The 2012 Paris motor show—or Mondial de l'Automobile, as it is officially known––will take place Sept. 27 through Oct. 14. It occurs every two years, alternating with the Frankfurt motor show in Germany. Paris is a showcase for the latest in design, but automakers will also be showing off their latest concept cars, green cars and supercars.
Executive chairman Ron Dennis and managing director Antony Sheriff ushered in a fresh era in performance cars with the debut of the P1 at the Paris motor show. The P1 is the second model in the company's growing line, joining the MP4-12C. Engine details were not immediately revealed, but the production car is expected to be shown this spring in Geneva.
"We are, in small scale, a real car company now," Sheriff said.
The firm is on pace to deliver 1,200 cars by the end of the year.
One thing is clear: McLaren remains committed, nearly obsessed, with carbon fiber, as evidenced by the F1 and 12C.
"We've never actually not made a road car without carbon fiber," Sheriff said. "You might say we don't know how to make a car without carbon fiber."
Though the P1 concept was striking in its style, it's been designed with performance, not simply eye candy.
"There's really nothing here that doesn't have a purpose," Dennis said.
Finally, McLaren's singular F1 has a successor. Dripping in carbon-fiber and exuding Grand Prix gravitas, the P1 was revealed Thursday at the Paris motor show.
The P1 is a design study. A production version will debut in 2013—which is shaping up to be a busy year for McLaren. The order bank will open, and the P1 will arrive on the market. Not coincidentally, it's the 50th anniversary of the sporting venture founded by Bruce McLaren.
The P1 name is meant to evoke the F1, which as called Project 1, or P1, in early stages.
The P1 joins a growing McLaren lineup, which also has the MP4-12C and its Spider variant. While the P1 will be blindingly fast (engine specs have not been revealed), it will also focus on handling and agility.
“The McLaren P1 will be the result of 50 years of racing and road-car heritage,” McLaren Automotive executive chairman Ron Dennis said. "Twenty years ago, we raised the supercar performance bar with the McLaren F1, and our goal with the McLaren P1 is to redefine it once again."
Carbon Fiber
The P1 has a carbon-fiber monocoque. All of the lightweight body panels are made from the material, and they have scoops and ducts to enhance aerodynamics.
The Wing
This is one of the most striking features of the P1, and it adjusts for downforce and aero. It can extend 11.8 inches on the track, and 4.7 inches on the road. The pitch of the rear wing can increase to as much as 29 degrees, and it adjusts to help maximize straight-line speed. The wing can also function as an air brake. It was developed using McLaren's Formula One software and development methods.
Aerodynamics
Two flaps are mounted under the body, ahead of the front wheels. The doors, wheel arches and snorkel intake on the roof all work for the cause of aero. The coefficient of drag is 0.34. The P1's aerodynamic configuration was conceived by Simon Lacey, who previously oversaw that for the racing division. The P1 is estimated to create five times as much downforce as the MP4-12C, and registers at a level close to the 12C's GT3 racing variant.
Design
Penned by Frank Stephenson, the P1 evokes a Le Mans racer and has a fighter-jet profile with a teardrop-shaped glass house. The dramatic lines and carbon fiber are set off with LED headlights, and the taillights frame the rear diffuser. It's topped off with a gold-leaf heat shield around the exhausts. Cost was not a concern.
Powertrain
McLaren would not reveal specifics of the powertrain. But the mid-engine P1 is expected to run an upgraded version of the MP4-12C's twin-turbo V8. Power could hit about 800 hp, and with the strength of a kinetic-energy-recovery system, push out a staggering figure around 960 hp.
Safety
A feature called the MonoCage protects passengers and is made of carbon. It also channels air into the engine for cooling, and the front and rear panels are attached to the structure, forming a spinal connection.
The 2012 Paris motor show—or Mondial de l'Automobile, as it is officially known––will take place Sept. 27 through Oct. 14. It occurs every two years, alternating with the Frankfurt motor show in Germany. Paris is a showcase for the latest in design, but automakers will also be showing off their latest concept cars, green cars and supercars.
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