McLaren P1
Fresh from the McLaren Automotive line of British sports cars is the P1 for 2019, a limited production hybrid car. The 3.8L twin-turbocharged V8 engine is augmented by McLaren’s E-Motor. The McLaren P1 has been rigorously tested in some of the most extreme places and conditions on the planet.
The Nürburgring Nordschleife in northern Germany is touted to be the toughest test of a performance car. It’s a bumpy track with 150 corners and an elevation change of 984 feet. Barriers along the sides of the track keep it tight with almost no margin of error. Cars speeding around during a fast lap can become airborne when going over some of the rises. The McLaren P1 met the challenge head-on and triumphed.
McLaren also took the P1 to a location above the Arctic Circle to determine whether or not it could stand up to the extreme cold weather. The below-zero conditions are harder on the battery pack than extreme heat. The P1’s advanced stability control was tested on a frozen lake and proved itself worthy.
Not yet satisfied, McLaren took the P1 to famed Death Valley in California to test its ability to maintain engine cooling management. Temperatures can soar to 130 degrees in the summertime with very low humidity. This climate was chosen to test not only the car’s cooling system but also to ascertain that the battery pack could handle the heat as well as it did the cold of the Arctic. Again, the P1 passed the test with ease.
So technologically complex that it’s closer to an aircraft system than a mere automobile, the P1 nonetheless is not just mechanically superior, it provides a thrilling ride. The main portion of the body is the MonoCage made of carbon fiber. The fibers are more than five times stronger than top-grade titanium, yet is lightweight. The seats are crafted with carbon-fiber shells covered with attractive and comfortable upholstery. The steering wheel is ergonomically-designed and is made from Alcantara and carbon. Three TFT screens display all the instrumentation, and control buttons are conveniently located on the steering wheel. There is no fluff in the P1; every feature is designed for optimum performance.
The electrical assistance system, IPAS, was designed to meet the most grueling challenges of track use. The P1 will go from zero to 62 mph in 2.8 seconds, top out at 217 mph, and still get 34 mpg during regular street use.
