British automaker McLaren has confirmed some technical details of the highly anticipated P1 supercar which will be publicly unveiled in a couple of weeks at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The McLaren P1 will feature a twin-turbo V8 3.8-liter gasoline engine capable of outputting 737 HP (542 kW) and a maximum torque of 531 lb-ft (720 Nm). This conventional power unit will work together with an electric motor producing an extra 179 HP (132 kW) and 192 lb-ft (260 Nm) of torque. The latter can be activated through a steering-wheel mounted IPAS (Instant Power Assist System) button which will give the car the throttle response of a normally aspirated engine.
Also on the steering wheel McLaren has fitted the DRS (Drag Reduction System) inspired by the one which Formula 1 cars have. Once activated, it will diminish the drag amount on the rear wing as this will reduce in angle resulting in a 23 percent lower drag. To deactivate the system, the driver can either hit the brake pedal or release the button on the steering wheel.
McLaren also mentioned the P1’s battery weighs 96 kg and will permit the supercar to travel for up to 9.6 km (6 miles). It is mounted on the underside of the carbon fiber chassis and can be charged in 2 hours with the bundled plug-in charger found in the luggage compartment.
Source: McLaren
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