McLaren Speedtail To Have More Than 987 HP, Will Use Different Hybrid System Than The P1

McLaren hasn’t said much about the Speedtail lately, but that’s changing today as CEO Mike Flewitt has confirmed the model will have more than 987 hp (736 kW / 1000 PS).

Speaking at a McLaren owner’s event attended by Top Gear, Flewitt said the car will use a familiar engine architecture. The publication believes this is a subtle hint that the model will be powered by the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that resides in 720S.

While the engine ‘only’ produces 710 hp (530 kW / 720 PS) in the Super Series variant, the Speedtail is a member of the Ultimate Series and McLaren has already confirmed the car will have a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain. Flewitt talked a little but more about the hybrid system during the owner’s meeting and said the model will have use a “slightly different hybrid application” than the P1.

Flewitt didn’t elaborate, but the P1 had a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine that produced 727 hp (542 kW / 737 PS). It was backed up by a lightweight electric motor that contributed an additional 176 hp (131 kW / 179 PS). This gave the model a combined output of 903 hp (673 / 916 PS) and that means the Speedtail will have at least 84 hp (62 kW / 85 PS) more than its predecessor.

In terms of performance, the P1 could accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 2.8 seconds and 186 mph (0-300 km/h) in 16.5 seconds. At the time the car was launched, Flewitt said “Absolute top speed was never the priority” so the model was limited to 217 mph (350 km/h).

McLaren has previously said the Speedtail will be capable of speeds exceeding 243 mph (391 km/h) but, once again, the model isn’t focused on having a high top speed. As Flewitt explained to Top Gear, “We’re not going for top speed for the sake of top speed.”

The decision to focus on other performance attributes could pay off in the long run as executive said the car will be “super comfortable” and “super to drive.” Unlike other hypercars, which are only fun for short jaunts, Flewitt said Speedtail owners will be able to take the model on 2,000 mile (3,218 km) trips in relative comfort.