Say Goodbye to the Beautiful McLaren P1
Pass the Kleenex: The British automaker is halting production on its signature supercar.
After building the promised total of 375 examples of its now-legendary P1, McLaren Automotive has concluded production of this example of the company’s capability. We can only wait to see its successor and hope that it doesn’t take 20 years, which was the gap from the F1 to the P1.
“The McLaren P1 has achieved more than we ever expected of it since it was first previewed little over three years ago, both as a new generation of supercar, and in enhancing the McLaren brand globally,” observed Mike Flewitt, McLaren Automotive’s CEO.
“As the direct ancestor to the fabled McLaren F1 – and the first in a new breed of hybrid-powered supercars – it had big shoes to fill, and it has more than succeeded. It has established itself as a true contender, proving to be more than a worthy rival on both road and track against long established rivals.”
The final car is the company’s signature pearlecent Volcano Orange, which is McLaren’s modern interpretation of the hue of its early race cars. The P1’s legend has been established quickly, as the concept was first shown in 2012, with the first production car rolling out in 2013.
Until the P1, it wasn’t clear that hybrid-electric drive could deliver the kind of visceral excitement that thrills supercar buyers and builds legends. With a combined 903 horsepower from its twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine and electric assist motor delivered stunning performance, accelerating to 100 kph in 2.8 seconds and reaching a top speed of 217 mph.
More importantly, it starred in an endless supply of YouTube videos showing drivers performing lurid slides and drifts in the P1. Plus, there is the fire-breathing exhaust trick. Any car that can blow fire out its exhaust pretty well cements its place in enthusiasts’ hearts. At least, until McLaren releases its replacement.
For the latest car news, follow @MaximRides and Dan Carney on Twitter.
Photos by McLaren Automotive
Read This Next
