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It costs £800,000, the production is limited to 500 models, but the supercar is expected sell out before going on sale to the public. The car will be revealed as a design study at the Paris motor show, McLaren Automotive’s first appearance at an international show. The similar final production version will be unveiled next year with the British manufacturer’s 50th anniversary.

The highly anticipated P1 has been described as taking “technological and spiritual inspiration from the company’s racing division”. Executive chairman of McLaren Automotive Ron Dennis says:”The P1 will be the result of 50 years of racing and road car heritage. Twenty years ago, we supercar performance bar with the McLaren F1 and our global with P1 is to redefine it once again”.

Operations managing director, Anthony Sheriff, says pure pace is not the new models objective. “Our aim is not necessarily to be the fastest in absolute top speed but to be the quickest and most rewarding series-production road car on a circuit. It is the true test of a supercar’s all-around ability and much more important technical statement. It will be the most exciting, capable, technologically advanced and most dynamically accomplished supercar ever made”.

McLaren is refusing to provide any more details around the car before its public reveal. However, some of the P1’s secrets have come to light! Sources say the P1 retains the MP4-12C’s “everyday usability” with the familiar deep windscreen, narrow A-pillars and relatively slim width. Whilst shorter than the current Porsche 911, the interior will be different from the 12’s. However, its unclear whether the cabin architecture will remain the same.

McLaren styling boss Frank Stephenson is said to have expressed the car in a deep, technical nature. Sculpted by wind tunnels, the aerodynamically significant areas of the exterior are exposed in matt black and the styled surfaces are body coloured. The fresh headlamp design references the McLaren logo and is tipped for the face lifted version of the 12C.

Also present are stylistic nods to the McLaren F1 in the roof’s air scoop, the single ridge running through the door and the fighter plane styled cockpit. The P1 takes advantage of a modified version of the MP4-12C’s carbon fire Monocell. The P1’s outer panels are said to be made from carbon fire and itself the weigh less than 1300kg. Also, the remaining under structure is said be very different from the 12C’s.

The front and rear aluminium sub frames and suspension systems are believed to have undergone redesigns, to accommodate more advanced chassis, which incorporates active damping and active control fancy out anti-roll bars and eliminate body lean. Judging by the P1’s shape, the engine and transmission could be placed much lower in the rear of the car. It seems the centre of the rear deck is lower than on the 12C. It appears likely that the intake manifold has been redesigned to sit lower on top of the engine and the exhaust system redesigned and rerouted.

Judging by the large air intakes that feed the P1’s engine compartment, there appears to be a desire to manage the high temperatures generated by the big hike in power. Along with the deep side intake, many forward-facing vents are mounted over the rear wheels, which are matched by the large exhaust ports over the rear LED light strips.

According to the latest information, the P1’s engine will not be a V10 or V12, but a modified version of the 12C’s twin-turbo V8. The power will jump from 600bhp to around 800bhp at 9000rpm. This significant potential is supplemented by a KERS system (a pair of flywheels that deliver up to 160bhp in short bursts).
Rumours suggest that the P1 will have a top speed of 239mph and a 0-60mph time of less than three seconds. It has also been reported to have completely obliterated the best lap time for a road-legal car at the Silverstone circuit.

According to leaks from potential buyers, the P1 will be fitted with a new kind of acrylic windows, replacing conventional glass. Also, there is no need for windscreen wipers as water apparently rolls off this car.
 The P1’s 2013 arrival is consistent with the McLaren promise of a new car launch every year until 2020, is likely to be an investment attraction for buyers. We only say this because the 108 F1s costing £540,000 two decades ago, now fetch up to £3.8 million at auction!

Written By Chris Rendell, Writer for Car leasing made simple.