The McLaren P1

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For as long as humans have been able to record history, we've found ourselves obsessing tirelessly over one major thing: limits - and how to push beyond them. For centuries, we've been infatuated with how to push beyond the lines drawn in the sand; how to test the theories of what is considered to be physically and mentally possible, and it's caused the human race to accomplish some pretty amazing things.

Neil Armstrong pushed the boundaries of the final frontier by setting foot on the moon; Concorde opened the eyes of the transportation industry to supersonic flight. David Abbott Jenkins spent his life taking his purpose-built speed machines to their limits on the Bonneville Salt Flats, and most recently, we've watched Bugatti and Hennessey duke it out in the chase to become the undisputed fastest production car in the world. We've done so much as a race to revolutionize the way we perceive the limits on life by re-writing the rules several times in the process - and in 2013, McLaren took hold of the pen, and scribed the formula for what is considered to be the world's best driver's car: The P1.

To many, this may just look like another pointless head turner supercar designed for the millionaire with infinitely deep pockets to blow his next paycheck on - which is precisely why I'm writing this article. A lot of the time, those who don't take a strong interest in the car world see something like the P1 come by, and while they turn their heads and point, and though many grab their cameras to take a snapshot for their friends - the point is, a majority of them have no idea just what kind of accomplishment they're truly looking at. They aren't aware that underneath the skin of the P1 lies the culmination of 50 years of racing heritage in its ultimate form. They don't realize the DNA that makes up this car's genetic print, and they don't realize that in most cases, it's just as alive as the driver behind the wheel is.

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 If you look at the exterior of the P1, it looks like what would happen if the MP4-12C took performance enhancing drugs. Every body part is more muscular, every line is flexing with power, and its numerous gills and intakes suggest that their is plenty of power at the disposal of the driver's right foot. But to understand this car's exterior design, you have to get into the mind of the man who designed it - Frank Stephenson. He didn't just sit around one day and decide that 'this line looks good here' or 'that groove will certainly please the eye'. No. His philosophy goes much deeper. He said that when he was designing the body of the P1, he followed the theories of biology and evolution - that every line was there for a reason, and that there was no design feature that was there solely for display - which becomes evident when you find yourself hurling down the main straight of an empty race track.

It's here, on the race track, where the P1 truly comes into its own and begins to shine. At full-bore, its 3.7 liter V8 is putting down all 727 of its horses onto the track. However, this is also where we discover the ace up its sleeve - the IPAS electronic motor system - which means not only is the P1 a supercar, it's a hybrid.


Similar to the KERS system found in modern F1 cars, the IPAS is an electric battery power unit that connects to the V8 engine, and is designed to improve the P1's performance by filling in the throttle gaps, such as gear changes, with its extra 177 horsepower, and yet it serves a dual purpose. While it maximizes on-track performance, off the track, iit minimizes the P1's carbon footprint by taking over as the primary motor when the driver isnt driving assertively. That means that when you combine the P1's already insane 3.8 liter engine with the added power from the IPAS - you're left with a dominating hybrid track rocket that screams around the track packing a mind - boggling 903 horsepower. A mere 2.8 seconds is all it takes to bring the P1 from 0 - 60 miles per hour, and in just 9.8 seconds, you'll be screaming down the straight at 150mph. Given a long enough stretch of road, the McLaren P1 will then go on to take you up to an eye watering top speed of 217 mph - all of which can be accomplished in under a minute; and when all that power is given to a car that weighs no more than a shoebox, you really begin to see just how amazing and truly inspired the McLaren P1 really is - especially when you consider what I believe to be the most impressive feature of all - it's alive.

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When I say "alive" I don't mean this in the literal sense - but more so in an adaptive sense. As you drive, it is constantly monitoring everything about the road it's on. The RCC, or 'Reactive Chassis Control' System keeps the P1's tires on the ground at all times by consistently taking readings of the road and making minute height adjustments, depending on road conditions and speed. The active aero spoiler comes to life as well, and rises up out of the back when the P1 is building speed. However, when it reaches a certain speed, the spoiler begins to sink back down, and there is a very good reason for that. At this point, a majority of the car's weight at speed is actually coming from the air passing over it, and that if the spoiler were to stay fully deployed at speed, the down force it creates would be so great that it would literally break the suspension. In short, the P1 knows its environment, and learns it, and then uses it's innate 'brain' to adapt and evolve its settings in a reactive manner to ensure that you can keep your foot down longer, and go faster more frequently.

The carbon fiber chassis design comes in 3 large pieces, which means that there is less structural welding to do, which makes the car considerably lighter - in fact, the entire frame weighs less than most people. The brakes are made of a new, exclusive carbon ceramic material which can handle 50% more duty than traditional carbon ceramic brakes, helping the P1 come to a dead stop almost as quickly as it starts, and thanks to a new innovation called "Brake Steer", the P1 can brake the innermost wheel during a corner to ensure that the nose of the car is brought closer to the apex - producing a racing line that combines with speed and handling to produce the best possible lap times. The seats are designed to be both lightweight for the track, and comfortable for the drive home, which means that it's as good for speed - filled days at the track, as it could be for a grand tour of the United States, or simple trips about town - you could in theory use the P1 every day, though I should add that you might run into problems trying to get a week's worth of groceries in the front boot.

As I mentioned before, the P1 is in fact, a Prius on steroids hybrid. While the IPAS system is working to maximize the power output on the track, it is actually working to minimize its carbon footprint everywhere else. When cruising through town, the monster V8 shuts off, and power is managed solely by the batteries, which means that the P1 not only looks good in town, it's helping its environment look even better by essentially eliminating any pollution it causes - that's right - while your Prius may be efficient, it's nowhere near as good looking, or as powerful as the mighty P1. Did I mention it also manages to get a combined average of 34 mpg's? No Joke!

After looking at the inspiration and innovation behind the McCLaren P1, it's clear to see that this really is not just another piece of supercar eye candy. It's not just designed to please happy - go - lucky millionaires with nothing better to spend their money on. What we're looking at is the result of what happens when a car company takes the book on 'limits' and completely re-writes it. It's inspiration comes from the legendary McLaren F1, and it's genetic make up comes from a team that has 50 years of F1 racing heritage under its belt. Its design has been approved by years of development, and hundreds of hours of testing in the most grueling of conditions to ensure that the P1 can perform in any condition. So the next time you see a P1 come down your street - if you're ever lucky enough to witness one of only 385 existing examples worldwide - you'll be filled with a new sense of wonderment and awe to see such a magnificent creation humming quietly down the road, allowing you to breathe easy, and admire enviously.