Doing its own dirty work: McLaren releases ‘spy’ photos of upcoming P1 supercar

By Nick Jaynes January 24, 2013

Just yesterday morning , we here at the Digital Trends automotive department were discussing our great disdain for automakers that release spy photos of their own cars. We agreed it takes all the fun and excitement when a manufacturer happily offers up a sneak-peek at an upcoming model. Instead, a photographer should snap the spy shots after having spent 72 hours on his belly in the desert.

This morning, however, we find ourselves eating crow as we drool over the latest “spy” photos released by McLaren of its upcoming supercar, the P1. How can you blame McLaren for wanting to spread the visual joy that is the P1 in camouflage?

If you’re not familiar, the P1 concept was unveiled last September at the Paris auto show. Just as in September, McLaren has refused to divulge exact figures of the P1, except this: “The goal being: to produce the best driver’s car in the world on road and track.”

McLaren has given a few specifics, saying that the P1 will feature, “Akebono on a highly-efficient braking system, Pirelli on high performance tires and Mobil 1 on leading cooling, lubrication and hydraulic fluids.”

According to Autocar, rumors surrounding the P1 put the power output from the modified twin-turbocharged V8 at around 720 horsepower. With an extremely low curb weight, the power to weight ratio would stand around 600 horsepower per ton. Excitingly, the P1 will also feature Formula One-style hybrid KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System).

The best driver’s car in the world is going to come at a significant cost. The P1 is expected to go on sale later in 2013 and to carry an asking price of $1.1-million.

As soon as McLaren officially releases all the full stats of the P1, we’ll be sure to bring them to you. In the meantime, we’ll have to simply ogle the McLaren-sourced spy photos (and a few concept renders thrown in for good measure) and be happy we at least have those.

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Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

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