McLaren Announces P1 Domestic Launch | McLaren

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P1 Makes Japan Debut

Held in MarchGeneva Show 2013which had its world premiere, and alongside Ferrari'sLaFerrari, and Lamborghini'sVeneno, the "P1" garnered attention as a new generation of supercar.P1has finally had its announcement in Japan.

Text by OTSUKI Takuma (OPENERS)

A Machine Packed with McLaren's Racing Technology

MP4-12CandMP4-12C SpiderMcLaren has now brought the "P1", a special machine produced in a limited run of 375 units, to Japan.

The powertrain features the same 3.8-liter V8 engine as the MP4-12C, producing 625ps, but by revising the turbocharger boost control and incorporating a hybrid system that combines it with an electric motor, the maximum output is increased to 916ps.

Furthermore, it employs active aerodynamics that generate up to 600kg of downforce, and a new active suspension system where the spring rate increases by 300% in race mode. During cornering, lateral G-forces reach 2G, comparable to a racing car, demonstrating the P1's high performance, achieved through the use of F1 technology.

The hybrid powertrain, "IPAS (Instant Power Assist System)", allows the driver to temporarily gain an "extra torque" of 260Nm from the electric motor by turning on the boost button on the center console and pressing the IPAS button on the steering wheel. This is the same system as the "KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System)" used in F1 cars, but while F1 KERS has a maximum output of 82ps, the P1's system delivers 179ps, more than double.

Additionally, the P1 incorporates systems developed for F1 cars, such as "DRS (Drag Reduction System)", which reduces air resistance by adjusting the angle of the rear wing to improve acceleration and top speed, and "Brake Steer", which concentrates braking force on the inner rear wheels during cornering to change the car's direction and quickly transfer driving force to the other wheels to accelerate out of the corner.

While its specifications are on par with racing cars, it has also been engineered to be comfortable and fast, both on the track and in the city.

For the P1's announcement event in Japan, Dick Glover, Research Director from McLaren Automotive in the UK, and Mr. Tatsuya Otani visited Japan.InterviewFrank Stephenson, Design Director, also came to Japan to introduce the P1 and discuss its future development in the Japanese market.

The McLaren P1, with a global production limited to 375 units, is priced at 96,615,000 yen (including consumption tax) in Japan.