McLaren is Up to Something Special

The McLaren P1 debuted over 10 years ago and now it would appear the company is about to launch a successor, according to US website Motor1. 

The company recently released a video about its “1” cars, the F1 and P1, and at the end of a discussion about what makes them so special is a date and time. Expect a revelation on October 6th, 1:00 PM British Summer Time. 

Earlier this year, McLaren previewed a new hypercar, code-named P18, to it dealers. It will likely use a new hybrid V8 powertrain, something McLaren confirmed was in development last year. That will replace the twin-turbo V8 the company has employed since the MP4-12C debuted in 2011. The P1 successor will also feature a new design language.

The P1 emerged in 2012 and, along with the Porsche 918 Spyder and Ferrari LaFerrari, comprised the “Holy Trinity” of hybrid hypercars. Its hybrid twin-turbo V-8 powertrain was good for 673kW horsepower and 901Nm. With its mostly carbon fiber construction, the P1 weighed under 1500kg. It featured a unique hydraulic cross-linked suspension system and active aerodynamics for special performance. The P1 remains one of the fastest cars in the world. 

McLaren has since released the Senna, Speedtail, and Elva, but none was trend-setting like the P1 or the F1 before it. Perhaps the upcoming “1” car will rekindle the McLaren magic.

Meantime, Porsche is working on its an EV hypercar previewed by the Mission X. Ferrari is also brewing a hybrid hypercar of its own. Another “Holy Trinity” then?