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How to design a McLaren P1

TG speaks to the man who penned Woking’s new hybrid hypercar

Posted: 03 Apr 2013

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You may think that car design involves pens and paper. But when you're designing a McLaren P1, that isn't always the case. "See the little shapes behind the front wheel?" says Frank Stephenson, the company's design chief. "We didn't draw those - they came out of a computer. We just refined them and made them look sexier."

When Frank's brief came down from Ron Dennis, it looked like this: build the successor to the legendary McLaren F1. A hypercar capable of defeating LaFerrari. Make it produce 600kg of downforce at 161mph. Find room for a KERS module. "When the brief came, you start going crazy," he says. "You think, ‘how do we better a car that's already iconic?' Of course we have new technology and innovation but people were saying, ‘you can't repeat an icon'. But I don't think any of us had any worries or fear of creating it. Because as a designer you're geared to think you can do something better than anybody else has done before."

McLaren Race to the bottom

Been a while... here's a cool video

Been a while since I have posted. Too busy with school + work but here's a short video for those that have hung in there!

The new McLaren P1 - it's a hybrid!

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With just over two weeks until we show the world the McLaren P1™ at the International Motor Show in Geneva, we’re excited to share with you the first details on the car’s dual powerplant system. 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. The substantially revised 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine and a highly effective electric motor, developed in house by McLaren, give a combined output of 916PS and a maximum torque figure of 900Nm. To optimise efficiency of the petrol engine in the McLaren P1™, extensive testing and development work has always been carried out with our technology partner Mobil 1 on lubrication and hydraulic fluids. The instant response of the unique electric motor, developed in house by McLaren Electronics, provides a sharper throttle response, and the enhanced air-charging system enables the McLaren P1™ to have more top-end power – the perfect combination for high performance. The electric motor is mounted directly onto the engine, and all drive is channelled through the dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox to drive the rear wheels. Thus, the electric motor and 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine work seamlessly together, providing more than just added ultimate power and torque. E-mode The McLaren P1™can be driven in a variety of modes, powered by the engine and electric motor together, or solely by the electric motor. In E-mode, the McLaren P1™ can travel more than 10km with electric-only power – enough for most city journeys. DRS and IPAS optimise performance and throttle response The power available via the petrol engine and electric motor is further enhanced on the McLaren P1™ through two steering wheel-mounted buttons; The Drag Reduction System (DRS) used on the McLaren P1™ is a technology similar to that employed on Formula 1 cars. Speed is increased by reducing the amount of drag on the rear wing by 23 per cent. Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) is designed to deliver power rapidly for high performance acceleration, providing up to 179PS of instant additional power. This is achieved through a groundbreaking, lightweight battery pack. We look forward to sharing further details of the McLaren P1™ in the next two weeks, before the production-ready car makes its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

mclarenautomotive.com

To contact your nearest retailer, please go to: retailers.mclaren.com For customer information please contact: client.services@mclaren.com  If you no longer wish to receive information from McLaren Automotive then please click here.

New Jaguar F-Type 2 seater roadster

	MEET THE NEW JAGUAR F-TYPE. Jaguar's highly-anticipated F-TYPE made it's first official appearance at the Paris International Motor Show. A thrilling addition to the Jaguar line-up, the highly-customizable F-TYPE is a precision-engineered blend of speed and agility. With three supercharged models boasting up to 495HP, this true two-seat convertible surges from 0-60 in as little as 4.2 seconds.* Click below to join the F-TYPE community on Facebook® and see the latest photos and vehicle information.		Watch the Debut at the Paris International Motor Show

The official announcement of the McLaren P1

The McLaren P1 leverages five decades of our motorsport skills. It was designed from the outset to prioritise aerodynamic performance and spent many hours in a wind tunnel and using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) aerodynamic modelling – just like a Formula One car. The new McLaren P1 has much higher levels of downforce than any current road car – 600kg is achieved well below maximum speed. That is approximately five times as much downforce as a McLaren 12C. Its margin over most other high performance supercars is even greater. The McLaren P1’s downforce is similar to current sports racing cars, including the 12C GT3 racer. The McLaren P1 showcases our advanced motorsport-based engineering, prioritising high performance through state-of-the-art technology. It will feature notable advances in weight reduction, packaging, high-speed performance, materials (especially carbon fibre), powertrain and in aerodynamics.

The McLaren P1 will have an immensely powerful engine, superb brakes and state-of-the-art suspension controls. The power to weight ratio will be more than 600PS per tonne. But a major reason for its extraordinary performance is its high level of downforce and its all round aerodynamic excellence. They do not just improve stability, handling, roadholding and braking at high speed. They also improve agility and driver confidence at much lower speeds. Our goal was to get great levels of downforce at lower speeds, and we have achieved that. It is a major boost to driving enjoyment, and to a driver’s feeling of being in total control.

Like all McLarens, the car is built around the driver. Our aim is to deliver the very best driver’s car on the road, one focused on the elite enthusiast driver, but you certainly don’t have to be a racing driver or a professional to enjoy it. And like all McLarens, the McLaren P1 is technologically at the absolute cutting edge. This goal – racing car-like track performance from a road car – was one of our primary targets for the McLaren P1. We wanted a car that would feel like a proper racing car, and then could be driven home in great comfort and refinement. In other words, a real McLaren but with an even broader breadth of ability.

The McLaren P1 follows in the footsteps of the classic McLaren F1 as the ‘ultimate car’ offering. The name ties in with Grand Prix racing. P1 means first place – and McLaren has 180 GP victories in its 46 year Formula One history. There is also heritage in that name: the McLaren F1 was initially known as Project 1, or P1. The McLaren F1 was lauded as the greatest supercar of its era when it was first shown 20 years ago. At the time, it was the world’s most technologically advanced and fastest supercar. And as we enter the next chapter, we’re confident that the McLaren P1 will continue in the same tradition.

mclarenautomotive.com

To contact your nearest retailer, please go to: retailers.mclaren.com For customer information please contact: client.services@mclaren.com If you no longer wish to receive information from McLaren Automotive then please click here.