New McLaren P1 Bows and Wows at the Geneva Auto Salon

The old adage about racing improving the breed certainly applies to this year’s Geneva Motor Show. We’re not referring to the gorgeous 911 GT3 that will form the basis of Porsche's new racer but the two Formula 1 arch-rivals that launched their new hypercars at the Swiss show.

That will be Ferrari and McLaren, then. Both boast outlandish horsepower figures in excess of 900HP, sub-3.0-second 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration times, a level of technology unseen until now in production cars and will be produced in limited numbers and, of course, priced accordingly.

Only one of them has a really daft name though… Evo magazine’s Henry Catchpole gave the other a very close inspection and was kind enough to share his thoughts with the rest of us mortals.

You can watch Henry stroke and caress the McLaren P1 in the way only a true petrolhead would, and also get behind its lovely Alcantara and carbon fiber trimmed wheel in the video that follows right after the break.

Geneva Motor Show: McLaren MP4-12C Sings to the Tune of DMC

This year's Geneva auto salon is turning out to be quite a crowd pleaser for anyone interested in unique supercars, be that limited run editions from carmakers like the Lamborghini Veneno and the Koenigsegg Agera S Hundra, or from high-end tuning brands such as Mansory with the Lamborghini Aventador Carbonado and Ferrari F12berlinetta Stallone, and in this case, DMC with the McLaren MP4 Velocita.

The German tuner of all things on four wheels with a ludicrous price tag, has prepared a bespoke styling kit made from carbon-fibre comprising a new front fascia with an extended apron, side skirts with 'wings' (…), a new rear diffuser and a larger rear wing.

According to DMC, the new components not only improve aerodynamics, but also lower the supercar's weight.

A new titanium exhaust system and a set of 21-inch diamond forged alloy rims wrapped in high-performance tires size 255/30 ZR21 at the front and 355/25 ZR21 at the back, are also include in the Velocita package.

As for the McLaren's interior, DMC says it can customize the cabin according to the demands of customers.

Pricing, excluding VAT (tax), is as follows:

Costs: Body Kit US$24,995 (€19,200), Wheel Package US$12,995 (€10,000), Interior Make-Over US$16,495 (€12,700) and Titanium Exhaust System US$5,495 (€4,200). Get it all for US$59,980 (€46,200).

First Live Look at the New McLaren P1 from the Geneva Motor Show

Officially, the 83rd Geneva International Motor Show won't be opening its doors for the press until Tuesday, March 5, but that doesn't mean you can't get in the Palexpo – Arena, as YouTube user and Carscoop reader Tim a.k.a. Shmee150 proves with these two videos he dropped into our email-box.

Besides getting a quick look at Ferrari's stand that will host the world premiere of the Enzo-replacing hypercar, currently known under its internal codename F150, Tim also filmed the actual, production version of McLaren's 350km/h (218mph) P1 hybrid hypercar.

You can watch both videos right below the break, and don't forget to keep checking back on Carscoops for all the latest news coming out from the Geneva Auto Salon.

Articles Source : Carscoop

 

 Video Source : Youtube

New McLaren P1: Official Photos of Production Model Break Cover

We have no idea when McLaren was planning to share new images of its P1 hypercar, but nine photos showing the final production model have just hit the interwebs. How can we be sure that this is the production version and not the concept?

Easy. Besides the new color, the P1 in these images features added carbon fiber air-vents on both corners of the front bumper, road tires and a tighter mesh for the rear end vent, all of which were announced by a McLaren spokesperson during a private showing in New York back in December.

McLaren has also told us that the P1's hybrid powertrain combines a mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 and an electric motor producing a system output of 903HP (916PS) and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque, with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox sending power to the rear wheels.

The lightweight hypercar will be able to cover about 10 kilometers (around 6 miles) on electric power alone with zero emissions.

We're still waiting for McLaren to release performance figures, but expect a zero to 100km/h (62mph) in well under 3 seconds and a top speed over 350km/h (217mph).

Articles Source : Carscoop

McLaren releases astonishing P1 performance figures

McLaren took the wraps off its upcoming P1 supercar nearly five months ago at the Paris Motor Show, but the automaker refused to release details about its interior, powerplant or performance – those juicy details would all have to wait.

Yet after a private showing in New York, followed by another exclusive event in Beverly Hills, McLaren began to slowly trickle out information about the P1's instrument cluster and passenger cabin, before finally disclosing its 903 horsepower hybrid powerplant earlier this month.

Finally, after much speculation, McLaren has revealed the last piece of the puzzle and announced its tested performance figures. The 100 km/h benchmark (62 mph) falls in "less than three seconds" while the 200 km/h barrier (124 mph) is shattered in "under seven seconds." Lastly, the rear-wheel drive P1 will hit 300 km/h (186 mph) in "no more than 17 seconds" (an impressive 11 seconds faster than its legendary McLaren F1). Those blistering numbers put the P1 among a very small and elite group, with members like Bugatti, Koenigsegg and Hennessey – the fastest road cars on the planet.

If you are wondering how much it costs to embarrass a Ferrari, McLaren also broke its pricing embargo today. Base price, in the United States, is a cool $1,150,000.

McLaren Automotive announces performance figures for the McLaren P1™

• Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) provides astonishing acceleration: 0 to 300 km/h (186 mph) in less than 17 seconds, more than 35% faster than the legendary McLaren F1
• Top speed electronically limited to 350 km/h (218 mph)
• The production number has been limited to 375 units
• Base price in the US is $1,150,000
• Fully equipped as standard for road and track use
•  Production model is almost unchanged from the original design study

McLaren Automotive has announced the final numbers, images and information relating to the McLaren P1™ ahead of a global reveal in just a few days at the 83rd International Geneva Motor Show.

The race-inspired Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) gives the McLaren P1™ astonishing performance. Zero to 100km/h (62 mph) will take less than 3 seconds, zero to 200 km/h (124 mph) in under 7 seconds, and zero to 300 km/h (186 mph) will be achieved in no more than 17 seconds. This is 11 seconds faster than the legendary McLaren F1 road car. Top speed is electronically limited to 350 km/h (218 mph).

The McLaren P1™ has translated to production form with very little changed from the prototype shown at the Paris Auto Show. In fact just one change-the addition of LTR ducts ahead of each of the front wheels to further aid cooling and optimise downforce.

McLaren has announced a global production number of just 375 units – a figure that will ensure the McLaren P1™ will remain a rarity.

McLaren has also announced that the car will have a base price of $1,150,000 in the US and have a specification that fully equips the car for both road and track use. The company prides itself on designing performance cars that their owners can use regularly so the McLaren P1™ comes standard with a comprehensive specification list. The options list is limited to only bespoke content that a customer might wish to add through McLaren Special Operations, and fitted luggage.

As already announced, the McLaren P1™ will have the combined force of two highly-efficient powerplants, offering the optimum mix of superb throttle response, day-to-day drivability and top speed. A mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine is substantially enhanced featuring, for example, larger turbochargers and a highly effective electric motor, to give a combined output of 916PS (903 bhp) and a maximum torque figure of 900Nm. This ensures instantaneous throttle response through the rev range, more akin to a naturally aspirated engine. Emissions of less than 200g/km on the EU combined cycle are reduced to zero in full electric drive mode, while the Formula 1-derived DRS and IPAS technologies offer an increase in straight-line speed and an instant boost of power.

The tires fitted to the McLaren P1™ are specially developed P Zero Corsas, which have been developed with McLaren's technology partner, Pirelli. The team at Pirelli has been involved throughout the entire development program, and this has seen the tire testing phase integrated into the schedule, as a key performance component. The final compound and construction has been developed and optimised during testing, and the end result is a tire that is finely tuned specifically to the performance and handling characteristics.

To rein in the power produced by the twin powerplants, the McLaren P1™ is designed to offer braking performance more associated with a GT3 or sports racing car. Developed by McLaren's Formula 1 partner Akebono, the system features a new type of carbon ceramic disc, which has previously seen service in space, but never before used on a road car. Stronger than conventional carbon ceramic, the material dissipates heat more effectively, giving the highly efficient braking system exceptional stopping and cooling capability. The system also boasts significantly reduced weight, and a bespoke ceramic layer coats both friction surfaces to give an attractive mirrored finish.

The car can also be driven solely in electric mode. In city driving, with an average speed of 30 mph, this could mean up to a 20km range. More than enough for an owner to enter, for example, a city center Zero Emissions Zone, have dinner and return home.

Articles Source : Autoblog

2014 McLaren P1

McLaren Automotive has released the final numbers, images and information relating to its phenomenal McLaren P1™ ahead of a global reveal at the 83rd International Geneva Motor Show.

2014 McLaren P1

2014 McLaren P1

2014 McLaren P1

2014 McLaren P1

2014 McLaren P1

The race-inspired Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) gives the McLaren P1™ astonishing performance. Zero to 100km/h will take less than 3 seconds, zero to 200 km/h under 7 seconds, and zero to 300 km/h will be achieved in no more than 17 seconds. Putting that into perspective, that's 5 seconds faster than the legendary McLaren F1 road car. Top speed is electronically limited to 350 km/h.

McLaren has been engaging with potential customers actively in the last few months to get their views on the McLaren P1™, about the car's styling. Their unanimous verdict on the styling was not to change the car presented last September in Paris. So unusually, the McLaren P1™ has translated to production form with very little change. In fact just one, the addition of LTR ducts ahead of each of the front wheels to further aid cooling and optimise downforce.

McLaren has closely monitored demand so as to maintain exclusivity, and announced a production number of just 375 units - a figure that will ensure the McLaren P1™ will remain a rarity and, if spotted on the road, an unforgettable sight.

McLaren has also announced that the car will cost from £866,000 on the road with a specification that fully equips the car for both road and track use. The company prides itself on designing performance cars that their owners can use regularly so the McLaren P1™ comes comprehensively equipped as standard with an array of colour and trim alternatives from which the customer will be able to choose as well as visible carbon fibre in the cabin. The options list is limited to only bespoke content that a customer might wish to add through McLaren Special Operations, and fitted luggage.

As already announced, the McLaren P1™ will have the combined force of two highly-efficient powerplants, offering the optimum mix of superb throttle response, day-to-day drivability and top speed. A mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine is substantially enhanced featuring, for example, larger turbochargers and a highly effective electric motor, to give a combined output of 916PS (903 bhp) and a maximum torque figure of 900Nm. This ensures instantaneous throttle response through the rev range, more akin to a naturally aspirated engine. Emissions of less than 200g/km on the combined cycle are reduced to zero in full electric drive mode, while the Formula 1-derived DRS and IPAS technologies offer an increase in straight-line speed and an instant boost of power.

The tyres fitted to the McLaren P1™ are specially developed P Zero Corsas, which have been developed with McLaren's technology partner, Pirelli. The team at Pirelli has been involved throughout the entire development programme, and this has seen the tyre testing phase integrated into the schedule, as a key performance component. The final compound and construction has been developed and optimised during testing, and the end result is a tyre that is finely tuned specifically to the performance and handling characteristics.

To rein in the power produced by the twin powerplants, the McLaren P1™ is designed to offer braking performance more associated with a GT3 or sports racing car. Developed by McLaren's Formula 1 partner Akebono, the system features a new type of carbon ceramic disc, which has previously seen service in space, but never before used on a road car. Stronger than conventional carbon ceramic, the material dissipates heat more effectively, giving the highly efficient braking system exceptional stopping and cooling capability. The system also boasts significantly reduced weight, and a bespoke ceramic layer coats both friction surfaces to give an attractive mirrored finish.

One surprising feature is that the car can also be driven solely in electric mode. In city driving, with an average speed of 30 mph, this could mean up to a 20km range. More than enough for an owner to enter, for example, a city centre Zero Emissions Zone, have dinner and return home.

Articles Source : Netcarshow

Gemballa Takes on the McLaren MP4-12C Spider with Geneva Motor Show Tune

After revealing its tuning take on the McLaren MP4-12C Coupe at the 2012 Geneva Auto Salon, Gemballa is returning to this year's event in Switzerland with a similar proposal for the newly launched Spider model of the series.

The German tuner avoided dipping its hands into the open-top McLaren model's engine bay leaving the 616hp (625PS) twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 untouched, and instead focused on the car's appearance and wheels.

Gemballa's cosmetic updates include an aero package with a newly designed front bumper, side skirts and rear valence with new exhaust pipes, while around the side, we find GForged-one lightweight alloy wheels, in 20 and 21-inch diameters for the front and rear axles respectively, shod in Michelin Pilot Super Sport 245/30ZR20 (front) and 305/25ZR21 (rear) tires.

For the interior, the tuner offers a full leather treatment and customized instrument panel gauges, both in individual colors.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Watch a Ferrari 458 Spider Stalk a McLaren P1 Hypercar in Traffic

After watching this video, we can’t but feel for the McLaren engineers trying to do their work testing or simply driving the P1 under normal conditions and having to deal with all the (justified) attention that comes along with the job.

On the other hand, we're also grateful for supercar-spotter and YouTube channel owner Shmee150 and his friend in a deliciously sounding Ferrari 458 Spider for tracking down and filming the pre-production P1, without making any inherently dangerous moves in the process (or at least none that we saw in this video).

"We were out for a drive today in a brand new Ferrari 458 Spider and stumbled into a McLaren P1, with the new 903hp engine and electric motors as announced this morning," Shmee150 told CarScoop in an email. "It looked like a perspective buyer was out for a test drive, but great to hear the sound of the car and some clips out on the roads in the UK."

Earlier today, McLaren spilled the beans on the P1's hybrid powertrain revealing that the car features a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 petrol engine and an electric motor delivering a combined system output of 903HP (916PS) and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque.

Articles Source : Carscoop

 Video Source : Youtube

Vorsteiner's McLaren MP4-12C Tune Looks Subtly Good

Over the past year or so, we've seen a healthy number of aftermarket companies point their tuning guns towards the McLaren MP4-12 Sports Car, including Mansory, Hamann Motorsports, Gemballa, Fab Design, 666-Horses, and even Hennessey Performance (clicking on the links will take you to the respective tunes).

McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren MP4-12C

McLaren MP4-12C

Some are understated, others scream 'look at me' and the rest fit somewhere in between. Looking at this first teaser photo from Vorsteiner's cosmetic and wheel package for the MP4-12C, we'd say that the tuner's proposal falls in the 'subtle' category.

We'll have to wait to learn the full details on Vorsteiner's MP4-12C goods, but from what we see here and aside from the dark grey alloy wheels, it includes a part carbon fibre front bumper with a sculpted lip spoiler that actually looks better than the stock piece, along with matching side skirts, and a rear boot lid spoiler.

Articles Source : Carscoop

McLaren P1 Spreads Out for a Photo Shoot at the Bahrain International Circuit

McLaren is taking a short break from the announcements regarding the production P1 hypercar with the publication of a fresh photo gallery of the design study that was displayed for the first time at last year's Paris auto show.

Following the Middle East debut of the concept in Bahrain in January, and just before its arrival in the United Arab Emirates this week, McLaren hired professional photographer George Williams for an exclusive shoot of the P1 at the Bahrain International Circuit.

McLaren Automotive Regional Director for the Middle East & Africa, Mark Harrison, commented:

“After a successful launch in Bahrain, we are very excited to be bringing the McLaren P1 to the United Arab Emirates, where our retail partner, Al Habtoor Motors, has confirmed huge interest in this unique car. This year marks our 50th year anniversary, so it is apt that we are gearing up to launch a car that we feel will redefine the parameters for performance, on both circuit and road. This is why we have released these unique and stunning images, taken at the BIC, a location absolutely fitting for this supercar. ”

We still have about three weeks of waiting time for the world premiere of the production model at the Geneva International Auto Show in early March, but we can tell you that the differences over the concept will be limited to some new details such as the vents on the front bumper, and the tighter mesh grille at the rear end of the car.

McLaren P1 Supercar: First Specs And Live Photos

We’ve seen the studio shots and guessed at all the specs, but here is the McLaren P1 supercar in all its glory, these photos coming direct from its debut just moments ago at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. This is the first auto show appearance for McLaren, the automaker, and we can’t think of a better car with which to highlight its debut.

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren P1

McLaren makes no secret of its primary design goal for the P1: for it to be the best driver’s car in the world--both on the road and track. Note, this means that the P1 won’t be challenging the Bugatti Veyron for the production car land speed record, but it could potentially be the world’s fastest accelerating car money can buy.

Right now, many of the car’s specifications are being kept secret. In fact, the P1 on display in Paris isn’t actually the final production version, but a concept. We hope you like the styling, however, as a leaked patent drawing as well as comments from company insiders suggest the production version will look very similar to the concept you see here today.

The McLaren P1 leverages five decades of McLaren’s motorsport skills, including inspiration from the legendary F1 supercar it will soon succeed. It was designed from the outset to prioritize aerodynamic performance and thus has spent many hours in a wind tunnel and using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) aerodynamic modeling--just like in Formula 1 racing.

So what has that achieved? Well, McLaren boasts the P1 develops in excess of 1,320 pounds of downforce before reaching its top speed, and its frontal area is smaller than any other supercar on the market. Its coefficient of drag is 0.34, which is very low considering the enormous levels of downforce.

We still don’t have the details on the powertrain, but McLaren is adamant each horsepower the P1 generates will only have to carry around 3.7 pounds or less. By comparison, each of the Bugatti Veyron’s horses have to carry around 4.5 pounds.

How the P1 will generate its power remains a mystery, though the smart money is on McLaren using an uprated version of its twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter engine found in the MP4-12C. A KERS hybrid is also expected, helping to give the car an additional boost when required. Combined output could end up being 800 horsepower or more.

As for the design, it’s strictly shaped by aerodynamics. Every panel, air intake, and air exhaust was designed to guide in air from the most efficient places and to maximize cooling.

A large rear wing is also fitted and adjusts automatically to boost downforce and optimize aerodynamics. It can extend rearwards by up to 300 millimeters on a race track, and by up to 120 millimeters on the road. The pitch of the rear wing can increase by up to 29 degrees. The double element rear wing profile has been developed using exactly the same methods and software as the current McLaren F1 car.

The McLaren P1 also has a DRS (drag reduction system) function, like an F1 car, to reduce downforce and increase straight line speed. But while a F1 racer’s has a moveable flap in the rear wing, the McLaren P1’s rear wing’s pitch is adjusted.

In addition to the adjustable rear wing, the McLaren P1’s aerodynamic performance is optimized using two flaps mounted under the body ahead of the front wheels. These are also actively controlled, and change angle automatically to optimize performance, boosting downforce and aero efficiency, increasing both speed and driver confidence. The flaps operate through a range of 0-60 degrees.

The final tidbit of information, the P1 gets a new MonoCage structure that uses the carbon fiber monocoque and roof structure to form a strong safety cage. The structure of the MonoCage, unlike the 12C’s MonoCell, also serves to guide air into the engine through an integral roof snorkel and air intake ducts, saving further weight. All the body panels are carbon fiber to reduce weight.

Speaking at today’s unveiling, McLaren chairman Ron Dennis said, “The McLaren 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 the McLaren P1 is to redefine it once again.”

Sales of the P1 commence in the next 12 months. We're likely to see a reveal of the production version in the near future, most likely at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show next March. Its launch will coincide with McLaren's 50th anniversary.