McLaren is conducting the final development phase of the P1 hypercar as it prepares to kickoff customer deliveries in the following weeks. During the summer, the testing program has continued in extreme heat conditions, with the P1 being driven in some of the hottest and most dry conditions on the planet in North America.
From these tests comes the first dynamic footage showing the production version of the car undisguised. Finished in Carbon Black, the aggressive-looking McLaren P1 was pushed to the limits through Arizona, California and Nevada, where it experienced heat in excess of 52 degrees Celsius (126 degrees Fahrenheit).
The P1’s systems and components were tested in scorching heat not only on public roads, but also on track, with the video showing it being driven hard on California’s Willow Springs International Raceway.
The P1, which will be built in a limited series of 375 units, has a hybrid petrol-electric powertrain consisting of a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine and a single electric motor. Combined power output is 903 hp (916PS) and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque, allowing the P1 to reach an electronically-limited top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph) and cover the 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in under 3 seconds.
Furthermore, it accelerates from zero to 200 km/h (124 mph) in less than 7 seconds and on to 300 km/h (186 mph) in less than 17 seconds – that’s 5 seconds quicker than the legendary McLaren F1. The hybrid setup also helps keep CO2 emissions under 200 g/km, with the P1 being able to cover more than 10 km (6.2 mi) in electric-only mode.
The McLaren P1 costs £866,000 in the UK and $1,150,000 in the U.S., but according to recent reports, the hypercar is almost sold out.
By Dan Mihalascu
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