Skip to main content

McLaren’s super hybrid P1 reasserts British dominance on Germany’s Nurburgring track

official mclaren p1 may just done fastest ever lap nurburgring track
This mind-bending image must capture a bit of what it is like to see the McLaren P1 on the track. Image used with permission by copyright holder

The more we know about the McLaren P1, the more I am sure it is made of magic; not just carbon fiber and the souls of F1 engineers.

Yesterday we got a look at some of the performance figures; now the internet has maybe just given us a glimpse of what those figures mean when you show the P1 a bit of track. YouTube user swsthebest1994 posted a video of the McLaren P1 at the Nurburgring and claimed that it just achieved a 6:47 lap time.

Previously, it had been reported by the fine folks at Bridge to Gantry that the P1 had managed a 7:04 laptime. But after Porsche stepped up its game and turned in the ‘Ring’s first sub seven-minute lap by a production car, it appears that the McLaren engineers were sent to the naughty stool until they could do better.

If this is true – but of course it is, it’s on the internet! – it means that McLaren’s super hybrid has just beat the Porsche 918 Spyder, the current ‘Ring record holder, by a good ten seconds. In race terms, that is the equivalent of several years. Zee Germans vill not be pleased.

Ordinarily, I would be very skeptical of a random internet claim – even if it is backed up by actual footage. However, the fact that we know the P1 can manage 0-62 in just 2.8 seconds and on to 186 in 16.5 means such an incredible lap time might just be real.

If nothing else, the P1 certainly looks and sounds like the fastest production car to hit the ‘Ring, and we are in swsthebest1994’s debt for that glimpse alone.

But the war between Porsche and McLaren might just be heating up with this lap. Porsche brass thinks that they haven’t squeezed everything possible out of their 918 Spyder.  

If the engineers and test drivers don’t deliver: it’s cooler two weeks

Editors' Recommendations

Peter Braun
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Peter is a freelance contributor to Digital Trends and almost a lawyer. He has loved thinking, writing and talking about cars…
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more
Cybertruck production reportedly halted over pedal issue
Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck. Tesla

Tesla’s Cybertruck has been hit by a production delay caused by an issue with a part of the vehicle, a number of media reports have claimed.

Read more