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.

Topics

Photo Galleries

Former Digital Trends Contributor

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

Cars

The 10 best car battery brands in 2024

How to test a car battery

You must know this, but your car needs a battery to run properly. A dead battery means a car won't start, but various electronics in the car won't work properly either, including overhead dome lights, the radio, and even some security features, like door locks or alerts. So, it's in your best interest to ensure your vehicle's battery is in tip-top shape at all times. It's especially important if your car or vehicle sits unused for long periods. A trickle charger can help keep the battery powered in those situations, or worst case, a portable jump starter can help you get it going. But eventually, you're going to need to replace your battery, and it will help to know the best car battery brands out there so you know precisely what to replace your old one with. Let's discuss.
AC Delco
In operation for more than a century, AC Delco has been recommended as "the only batteries" for GM vehicles. You'll find them at retailers like AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Amazon, and even some Walmarts. They're reliable, reasonably priced, and come with a good warranty, 18 months or above, depending on where you buy. A great AC Delco battery to call out is the Advantage series.

Bosch
Bosch is a solid mid-grade battery provider both in quality and price. They do have some affordable options, but their premium lines are still reasonably priced, with several tiers available for a wide variety of vehicles. The downside is that Bosch batteries are not carried by all retailers like some of the other options on our list, but you can find them online. You can also visit a Bosch service center if there's one near you. Callouts are the S4 to S6 series and the T4 to T6 series. We will say the brand's four-year free replacement warranty is unmatched.

Cars

Tesla’s fix for faulty Cybertruck pedal is simpler than you might think

Tesla Cybertruck

Less than five months after handing over the first Cybertrucks to customers, Tesla has had to recall the electric pickup to fix an issue with the accelerator.

In a notice issued on Friday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that the recall impacts Cybertruck vehicles manufactured from November 13, 2023, to April 4, 2024. This suggests that all -- or almost all -- of the 3,878 Cybertrucks being recalled are those that have been manufactured to date.

Cars

Ford Mustang Mach-E 2024 vs. Mach-E 2023: What’s new in Ford’s electric Mustang?

Blue Ford Mustang Mach-E on a rooftop

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is easily one of the best EVs for the price, offering a solid range, sleek design, and pretty good tech on the inside. In recent years, it has gotten even cheaper -- thanks in large part to a price war between it and the Tesla Model 3. And, the company just took the wraps off of the latest and greatest version of the Mach-E, labeled as the 2024 model.

The 2024 Mustang Mach-E is notably different from the 2023 iteration in some meaningful ways. So much so that we decided to take a look at the two head-to-head -- to see if it was better to pay for the 2024 model or save some cash on any remaining 2023 stock.
Design
The Mustang Mach-E looks relatively unique -- in a good way. And thankfully, Ford has largely kept the overall design the same for the 2024 model, at least when it comes to the more consumer-focused models. The car retains the slatted taillights and crossover size. It also offers a large selection of colors, including the very blue Grabber Blue Metallic, as well as Rapid Red Metallic. It's a good selection of colors, and there should be an option for most buyers.