McLaren P1 Concept 2012

McLaren.Inc - McLaren Automotive used its first ever international motor show appearance to preview its next generation ultimate supercar - the McLaren P1 - which takes much of its technological and spiritual inspiration from the company's Racing division. The McLaren P1 has one simple goal: to be the best driver's car in the world on road and track.

At the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Mondial de l'Automobile, the McLaren P1 is previewed as a design study. 'The McLaren P1 will be the result of 50 years of racing and road car heritage,' says McLaren Automotive Executive Chairman Ron Dennis. 'Twenty years ago we raised the supercar performance bar with the McLaren F1 and our goal with the McLaren P1 is to redefine it once again.'

'Our aim is not necessarily to be the fastest in absolute top speed but to be the quickest and most rewarding series production road car on a circuit', says McLaren Automotive Managing Director Antony Sheriff. The McLaren P1 leverages five decades of McLaren's motorsport skills.

The new McLaren P1 has much higher levels of downforce than any current road car - 600kg is achieved well below maximum speed. That is approximately five times as much downforce as a McLaren 12C. The McLaren P1's downforce is similar to current sports racing cars, including the 12C GT3 racer.

Despite the huge performance, the McLaren P1 is also a refined and comfortable high speed supercar. 'It is designed to be driven to the racing circuit, with great levels of comfort and refinement,' says Sheriff. 'And then to be used on the racing circuit, where it will offer an experience matched only by purpose-built race cars.'

The McLaren P1 showcases McLaren Automotive's advanced motorsport-based engineering, prioritising high performance through state-of-the-art technology. It will feature notable advances in weight reduction, packaging, high-speed performance, materials (especially carbon fibre), powertrain and in aerodynamics.

Racing car track performance, from a road car

'Like all McLarens, the car is built around the driver. This goal - racing car-like track performance from a road car - was one of the primary targets for McLaren P1. 'We wanted a car that would feel like a proper racing car. The astonishing track performance also makes for a better road car. 'It improves cornering composure at any speed,' says Mackenzie. Frontal area is substantially less than the (already small) 12C, and smaller than any series production super-sports car. Cd is 0.34 - very low considering the enormous levels of downforce.

Aerodynamic led design

The McLaren P1 prioritises function over pure style, notes Chief Design Engineer Dan Parry-Williams. That is very much part of the McLaren ethos. 'It is engineering design led. Yet it is a striking and handsome car. The P1 reflects McLaren's core values. It celebrates aerodynamics, great packaging and light weight.

Maximum speed was never a priority. It's much more technically challenging, and more meaningful, to develop a car that seeks to be the fastest-ever series production car on a racing circuit. 'The priority was high speed performance matched with tremendous composure, which would come mostly from the state-of-the-art aerodynamics. The teardrop cabin shape also meant you had a lot more air flowing over the cabin to the rear wing. There is no "fat" on the McLaren P1.'

It was a collaboration between engineering and design, with Design Director Frank Stephenson overseeing the design process.

Stephenson agrees: 'We have ended up with a car that looks as futuristic as a concept car - except that it will go into production - and with similar aerodynamic properties to a sports racing car.

Active aerodynamics include Formula 1-like DRS

Expertise in Grand Prix racing was used to hone the aerodynamics of the McLaren P1. The former Head of Aerodynamics for the McLaren Racing, and now Head of Vehicle Technology for McLaren Automotive, Simon Lacey, was responsible for the aero performance: 'The astonishing downforce actually makes driving easier as well as faster,' says Lacey.

'Every body panel, air intake, and air exhaust was designed to guide in air from the most efficient places and to maximise cooling,' says Lacey. The unusual door ducts, from the initial styling sketches, draw air into the cooling circuit. That low body helps air get to the rear wing. The rear deck is extraordinarily low, just like a sports racing car. The extreme teardrop shape of the glasshouse guides more air more efficiently to the rear wing.'

The large rear wing adjusts automatically to boost downforce and optimise aerodynamics. The double element rear wing profile has been developed using exactly the same methods and software as the current McLaren Formula 1 car.

The McLaren P1 also has a DRS (drag reduction system) function, like a Grand Prix car, to reduce downforce and increase straight line speed. But while a Formula 1 car has a moveable flap in the rear wing, the McLaren P1's rear wing's pitch is adjusted. In addition to the adjustable 'active' rear wing, the McLaren P1's aerodynamic performance is optimised using two flaps mounted under the body ahead of the front wheels.

These are also actively controlled, and change angle automatically to optimise performance, boosting downforce and aero efficiency, increasing both speed and driver confidence. The rear wing and front flaps work together to boost handling, braking and straight line performance. The active aerodynamics ensures totally consistent handling and driving behavior. The smooth underbody also helps to generate 'ground effects' suction, boosting downforce.

'On the race track, the McLaren P1 would display similar levels of performance to a Le Mans sports racer, thanks to its aerodynamic shape,' adds Lacey. 'It would have a level of racetrack performance never before seen in a series production road car.'

Every design detail optimises aerodynamics, from the door shape (which helps funnel air with maximum aero efficiency), to the numerous ducts, to the wheel-arch shapes to the snorkel intake on the roof. The latter detail also ties in with Grand Prix design, and was an iconic feature of the seminal McLaren F1 road car. Another design feature that reflects the F1 road car is the gold leaf heat shield around the exhausts.

Lightweight carbon 'multi-purpose' body panels

As with the legendary McLaren F1 road car of 1992, the McLaren P1 is a mid-engine design that uses a carbon fibre monocoque and roof structure safety cage concept called MonoCage which is a development of the MonoCell used in the current 12C and 12C Spider. All the body panels are carbon fibre to reduce weight. This carries on a McLaren innovation: it was the first company to offer a full carbon body Grand Prix car (in 1981) and the first to offer a full carbon body road car (the F1).

The large carbon panels are also multi-functional, with integrated scoops and ducts to boost aero performance and cooling. Lightness, as with all McLaren road cars, was a priority for the McLaren P1. 'This approach is more weight efficient, but it does require more complex structures, with fewer parts but more design time,' notes Chief Design Engineer Parry-Williams.

Parry-Williams worked continually with the design studio to improve the surfaces, making them as beautiful as possible whilst maintaining optimum aerodynamics. Working closely with Parry-Williams, Design Director Frank Stephenson wanted a car that was 'striking but also functional, a real statement of intent.

This helped give the car a natural, almost organic, quality. All the ducts were developed with the aero team, giving a direct link to McLaren's motorsport heritage. 'Plus there is the most aggressive rear diffuser ever seen on a road car. Good visibility has always been a McLaren mantra.

The lights are a signature part of the car. Whilst at the back, the low rear deck and pronounced wheelarches, give the evocatively simple rear end a powerful graphic. 'Again, beautiful, organic forms framing and enhancing the technical features,' says Stephenson

McLaren's 'ultimate car' heritage

The McLaren P1 follows in the footsteps of the classic McLaren F1 as the 'ultimate car' offering. The name ties in with Grand Prix racing. P1 means first place - and McLaren has 180 GP victories in its 46 year Formula One history - or position one on the grid (McLaren has scored 153 pole positions).