- IPAS (Instant Power Assist System) and DRS (Drag Reduction System) offer instant boost of power and straight-line speed
- 916PS (903 bhp) and 900Nm, with emissions of less than 200g/km
- Substantially revised 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine coupled to low-weight, highly efficient electric motor ensures instant torque for optimised throttle response
- Full E-mode offers in excess of 10km emission-free driving
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. A mid-mounted 3.8-litre
twin-turbo V8 petrol engine and a highly effective electric motor give a
combined output of 916PS (903 bhp) and a maximum torque figure of 900Nm,
ensuring instantaneous throttle response through the rev range, more akin to a
naturally aspirated engine. Emissions of less than 200g/km on the combined
cycle are reduced to zero in full electric drive mode, while the Formula
1-derived DRS and IPAS technologies offer an increase in straight-line speed
and an instant boost of power.
The 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine in the McLaren P1™
is a new version of the familiar M838T unit, that has been significantly
upgraded to optimise cooling and durability under the higher loads. The engine
block has a unique casting to incorporate the electric motor. The petrol engine
produces 737PS (727 bhp) at 7,500rpm, and 720Nm of torque from 4,000rpm. To optimise
efficiency of the petrol engine, extensive testing and development work has
always been carried out with McLaren Automotive technology partner Mobil 1 on
lubrication and hydraulic fluids.
The lightweight electric motor, developed by the McLaren
Electronics arm of the Group, produces 179PS (176 bhp), and is unique to the
McLaren P1™. The motor produces maximum torque of 260Nm instantly from a
standstill, greatly increasing the throttle response of the McLaren P1™, and
peak combined torque of 900Nm is delivered from just 4,000 rpm. In addition to
this, the McLaren-developed ‘boost’ system, IPAS, provides up to 179PS
instantly. The instant response of the electric motor provides a sharper
throttle response more associated with a normally aspirated engine, and the
significantly 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.
A further benefit is that the e-motor can provide faster
upshifts. This is achieved through the application of instant negative torque
at the point of shift, making the engine revs drop as quickly and efficiently
as possible to the required engine speed for the upshift.
In addition to the obsessive weight-saving measures
demonstrated throughout the McLaren P1™, so too is the optimisation of usable
energy. When off-throttle the electric motor provides additional drag torque,
recovering energy to the battery that would otherwise be lost to the brakes.
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.
This ensures versatility and ease of transportation, allows use in low emission
zones and residential driving is optimised with near-silent running.
Maximum power comes when using both powerplants together,
but even in E-mode the performance is strong. E-mode is the most economical
mode available with zero tailpipe emissions. In E-mode, the McLaren P1™ can
travel more than 10km with electric-only power – enough for most city journeys.
When the battery is empty, the petrol engine will automatically start to
maintain drive and charge the battery.
IPAS and DRS 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 which activate the DRS (Drag Reduction System) and IPAS
(Instant Power
Assist System).
The Drag Reduction System 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 and, where the MP4-28 has a
moveable flap on the rear wing, the McLaren P1™ has a wing that reduces in
angle to lower drag by 23%. The system immediately deactivates when the button
is released, or if the driver touches the brake pedal.
IPAS is designed to deliver power rapidly for high
performance acceleration, and provides 179PS of instant additional power. In
developing the IPAS technology for the McLaren P1™, power delivery was
prioritised over energy storage. This is achieved through a groundbreaking,
lightweight battery pack, which offers greater power density than any other
automotive battery pack on sale today.
Battery
The high power density has been achieved through a
combination of high power cells, low pack weight and an innovative cooling
system. The battery weighs just 96kg, and is mounted onto the underbody of the
high-strength Formula 1-grade carbon fibre MonoCage chassis, which seals the
unit in the vehicle, thus avoiding the added weight of any unnecessary battery
packaging.
Due to the amount of power being supplied by the battery,
complex cooling is required to guarantee cell performance and reliability. The
coolant flow is balanced so each cell is cooled to the same temperature across
the entire pack.
In addition to the battery being charged via the engine, the
McLaren P1™ is also equipped with a plug-in charger which can recharge the
battery, from empty, in only two hours. The plug-in charger can be stored in
the luggage compartment, although the customer may choose to store it off-board
– in a garage or the pits – to save weight.
Further details of the McLaren P1™ will be released in the
coming weeks, before the production-ready car makes its world debut at the
Geneva Motor Show next month.
Designed for the track; Developed for the road
The connection between Formula 1 and road cars at McLaren is
a natural process of experience, knowledge, principles and process transfer.
Through the integration of 50 years of Formula 1 racing expertise and
knowledge, and 20 years of heritage in producing landmark sports cars, McLaren
Automotive designs, develops and builds the technologically advanced,
groundbreaking and no compromise 12C and 12C Spider.
McLaren has pioneered the use of carbon fibre in vehicle
production over the past 30 years, and since introducing a carbon chassis into
racing and road cars with the 1981 McLaren MP4/1 and 1993 McLaren F1
respectively, McLaren has not built a car without a carbon fibre chassis.
This is what the Press had to say after yesterday's P1 powertrain press release:
ReplyDeleteCar and Driver: “As expected, the F1 successor’s details are impressive…Performance-wise, the P1 should be properly epic…You can bet it’s a puzzle the boys at Ferrari are scrambling to solve, too, given that their upcoming F150—the Enzo replacement—also will feature a gas-electric hybrid powertrain with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Maranello’s creation will have four additional cylinders but two fewer turbochargers. Game on.”
Jalopnik: “This is how the techno fabulous McLaren P1 makes 903 horsepower…We're going to be talking about the McLaren P1 all day because we're still pondering what it means to have a lightweight, V8-powered hypercar with 727 horsepower mated to a KERS system that adds 176 horsepower… all while returning roughly 28 MPG (on the Euro cycle). Is this eating your cake and having it too?”
Green Car Reports: “Not all cars are born equal. Some, if they're lucky, will be born as McLarens--supercars infused with technology from the race track, with one of the most famous names in motor sport.”
Popular Mechanics: ” Today McLaren unveiled the hybrid monster… dethroning the Porsche 918 Spyder as the world's most powerful hybrid supercar.”
Yahoo: “Today, McLaren leaked out the power and engine specs of its new supercar, announcing the P1 would offer 903 hp thanks to a combination of a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-6 and a massive battery pack that can be charged from the outside — making it the world's fastest plug-in hybrid.”