McLaren brings out its hyper-car challenger, the P1

While the MP4-12C is the most technologically advanced car from McLaren, it still did not match up to the grandeur of the best of them all, the F1. But all that is about to change with the all new P1. The result of 50 years of racing and road car heritage, the P1 is all set to raise the supercar performance bar once again. With the sole aim of being the best driver's car in the world on road and track, the P1 when it goes into production will sit above the 12C and the 12C Spider and as far as the performance is concerned, over a lot of other super cars.

The reason for that is that the P1 is powered by the combined force of two highly-efficient powerplants, offering the optimum mix of superb throttle response, day-to-day drivability and top speed. A mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine is substantially enhanced featuring, for example, larger turbochargers and a highly effective electric motor, to give a combined output of 916PS and a maximum torque figure of 900Nm. This ensures instantaneous throttle response through the rev range, more akin to a naturally aspirated engine. As a result performance is nothing short of staggering with a 0-100 km/h spring covered under three seconds with a top speed of 350 km/h.

To rein in the power produced by the twin power plants, the McLaren P1™ is designed to offer braking performance more associated with a GT3 or sports racing car. Developed by McLaren's Formula 1 partner Akebono, the system features a new type of carbon ceramic disc, which has previously seen service in space, but never before used on a road car. Stronger than conventional carbon ceramic, the material dissipates heat more effectively, giving the highly efficient braking system exceptional stopping and cooling capability.

However, the brilliant bit is not the performance, but the electric drive with which the car can be driven solely in electric mode at an average speed of 48 km/h upto a 20 km range. More than enough for a quick errand. Very fast, very hot and efficient too. McLaren could have made the best car in the world.