Used 2015 McLaren P1

To say the 2015 McLaren P1 exotic supercar is one of the most desirable performance machines on the planet might qualify as the understatement of the century. The unique carbon-fiber-and-Kevlar MonoCage sports car isn’t just about looks and power, although it has both of these attributes in abundance. The P1 is first and foremost a track car. Those fortunate enough to have driven it say it leaves cars like the Ferrari 458 and even the old McLaren F1 in the dust. The 2015 P1 by McLaren is a 21st-century exotic, with a hybrid gas/electric powerplant producing a whopping 903 horsepower and 722 lb-ft of torque. The P1 achieves 60 mph in less than three seconds and has a top speed of 217 mph.

The 2015 P1 exotic supercar from McLaren was designed first and foremost for the track. McLaren went to extensive lengths to remove as much weight as possible from the design, creating a 903-horsepower car weighing in at a mere 3,100 pounds. A carbon-fiber-and-Kevlar blend makes up the MonoCage cockpit, to which lightweight subframes for the engine and suspension are then attached. McLaren’s RaceActive Chassis Control system allows for variable ride height and suspension travel, providing optimal cornering at better than 2g’s. The P1’s Formula 1-dervied technology is evident in the hybrid-electric powertrain that produces 727 horsepower under normal driving conditions, but with the touch of a button, receives an additional 176 horsepower from the electric-assist motor. This boost of power helps fill power gaps between shifts as well as boosts the already ample torque provided by the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8.

For 2015, McLaren’s P1 exotic supercar has improved greatly over the old MP4-12C. Fit and finish are excellent, as is the positioning of the three TFT screens used to display instrument readouts. Alcantara covers the steering wheel, seats and roof, although if you desire carpeting or additional sound insulation, that will cost extra. We appreciate the artful use of carbon-fiber trim and the little details, such as the turbine-wheel design of the vents. Racing seats formed from carbon-fiber shells have limited adjustability but can be custom-fit to the driver at the factory.

Everything about the McLaren P1 for 2015 revolves around weight savings and aerodynamics. The sleek shape sits low to the ground, with added ground effects that are functional but look rather low-rent compared to the rest of the body. Deeply sculpted front hood vents help move hot air away from the radiator as well as route air over the hood to keep the nose low. The rear exposes the most visually stunning part of the car, with a wide, deep-valley sculpted tail and an integrated hydraulically activated wing that serves double duty as both an air brake and downforce generator.

DUAL-CLUTCH GEARBOX WITH INTEGRATED ELECTRIC-ASSIST MOTOR
McLaren’s 2015 P1 supercar features an electric motor built into its dual-clutch 7-speed automatic transmission. Activated by a switch, the electric unit can also power the P1 up to 60 mph for a distance of about six miles.

BRAKES BY AKEBONO
The P1’s Akebono carbon-ceramic brakes provide superior stopping power. Designed for use in space rockets, these high-tech brakes dissipate heat with dispatch and can absorb 50 percent more energy at the contact point than ordinary carbon-ceramic brakes.

The McLaren P1 for 2015 includes a twin-turbocharged V8 engine, a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with manual capability and an electric-assist motor. Also standard are 19- and 20-inch wheels, Instant Power Assist Program (IPAS), RaceActive Chassis Control (RCC), Akebono layered carbon-ceramic brakes, a 7-inch navigation touch-screen monitor, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth and a Meridian sound system with AM/FM/USB/hard drive and iPod integration. Also on the list: a full Alcantara-trimmed interior, steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles and IPAS activation button. Leather trim is a no-cost option.

Options are limited to carpet and insulation upgrades as well as some specialty paint and exterior color treatments.

Powering the 2015 McLaren P1 supercar is a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with an integrated electric motor. The electric motor can instantly add an additional 176 horsepower to the V8’s 727 horsepower for a combined 903 total output. Power is routed from the mid-engine drivetrain through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic featuring four modes for various stages of automatic or manual shifting (via steering-wheel paddle shifters). The modes, which include Normal, Sport, Track and Race, also adjust the suspension settings. There are also an E-Mode for full electric operation and a Launch Mode for instantaneous starts.

3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 + electric motor assist
727 horsepower @ 7,300 rpm
903 horsepower @ 7,300 rpm (combined with a 176-horsepower electric motor)
531 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
722 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm (combined)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17 mpg combined, 18 mpge (electric/gas hybrid mode)