As with the McLaren F1 road car of 1992, the McLaren P1 is a rear-wheel drive, mid-engine design that uses a carbon fibre monocoque and roof structure safety cage concept called MonoCage, which is a development of the MonoCell used in the current MP4-12C and MP4-12C Spider upgrade that came out in early 2012.
Specifications
The P1 features a 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine, a heavily revised version found in the MP4-12C, but tuned to deliver 727 bhp and 719 Nm (531 lb ft) at 7500 rpm. Combined with an in-house developed electric motor, which produces 176 bhp and 260 Nm (192 lb ft), the P1 will have a total power and torque output of 916 PS (903 bhp) and 900 Nm (664 lb ft) respectively. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Power for the electric motor is stored in a 324-cell lithium-ion high density battery pack located behind the cabin. The battery can be charged by the engine or through plug in-equipment and can be fully charged in two hours. The car can be operated using either the petrol engine, the electric motor, or with a combination of the two, and has an all-electric range of up to 20 km (12 mi) at an average speed of 50 km/h (31 mph).
The P1 comes with Formula 1 derived features such as the Instant Power Assist System (IPAS), which will give an instant boost in acceleration via the electric motor, a Drag Reduction System (DRS) which operates the car's rear wing, thereby increasing straight line speed, and a KERS. Both of these features (IPAS, DRS) are operated via two buttons on the steering wheel.
The P1 will go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 3 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in under 7 seconds, and 0 to 300 km/h (186 mph) in 17 seconds, making it 5 seconds faster than the McLaren F1. Top speed is electronically limited to 349 km/h (217 mph). The P1 also features bespoke Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres and specially developed carbon-ceramic brakes from Akebono.
Source: wikipedia.org
