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Geneva 2013: McLaren P1 makes us all dream of going green

Marcus Amick
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McLaren P1

You had to know that with all the rave over hybrid supercars, it was only a matter of time before McLaren rolled one out.

The McLaren P1, unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, packs 903 horsepower and 633 pound-feet of torque from the combination of a 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine and an electric motor. 

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Yep, that’s a mind blowing 903 horsepower, which makes you wonder if this whole hybrid movement in the world of supercars is more about showing off a company’s technology rather than fuel efficiency.

Either way, we’ll take it.

The carbon fiber P1 sports a racing yellow exterior set off by hash-marked slate gray, a true mark of the McLaren P1’s capabilities on the racetrack.  Emissions is under 200 grams (seven pounds) per kilometer compared to 300 grams (about 10 pounds) per kilometer for a super car without a hybrid power source, notes McLaren.

McLaren P1 (rear)

The car can move on electric power alone for up to 6.2 miles, and the liquid-cooled, 324-cell battery can be charged either by the electric motor on deceleration or via a wall plug stored in the luggage compartment.  The P1 also features a special recharging function that’s been dubbed “pit-lane charging,” which recharges the battery in 10 minutes using a dashboard “Charge” button, forcing the V-8 engine into generator mode.

The P1 can do 0-180 mph (0-300 kph) in under 17 seconds. The McLaren P1 will power from rest to 200 kph in less than seven seconds, and on to 300 kph in less than 17 seconds – a full five seconds quicker than the McLaren F1.

See, there is some methodology to the madness.

The car also features an adjustable suspension mode and an active aerodynamics feature that can control the rear wing to maximize the levels of down force. 

The P1 sells for $1.3 million, with only 375 being made.

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Marcus Amick
Marcus Amick
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Marcus Amick has been writing about the world of cars for more than ten years and has covered everything from new automobiles…
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