Images of the disguised P1 production car released by McLaren ahead of the Geneva motor show in March
McLaren has offered the first glimpse at the production-ready McLaren P1– but the model remains completely shod in camouflage ahead of its reveal at the Geneva motor show in March.
The firm has given nothing specific away on the P1, apart from the sole announcement that “a remarkable vehicle is emerging” from its development.
The images do confirm that earlier spy pictures were correct in revealing the design of the production car will stay true to the dramatically sculpted concept first shown at the Paris motor show last autumn.
Design sources have previously stated that the concept is “more than 95 per cent” representative of the production car.
New pictures of the undisguised concept model emerged this week after a preview event for potential customers in Los Angeles. The images show new details of the P1's under-floor aero structure.
McLaren’s legendary attention to detail is evident in the XP-codenamed prototypes, now they can be viewed up close and in detail: the camouflage features the outlines of famous race-tracks from around the world that hold significance to McLaren.
Sources have revealed that power will come from a modified version of the 12C’s twin-turbo V8 mated to an F1-style KERS hybrid boost system, with a total power output of about 720bhp. The power-to-weight ratio will be more than 600bhp per tonne.
McLaren has said it is not interested in making the world’s fastest or most-powerful production car. Instead, it wants to make “the best driver’s car in the world”.
The P1 will be left-hand drive only and be offered in a limited production run. It will be priced from £700,000 to £800,000 when sales start later in the year.