How good was the car world in the 1990s. Everyone was excited for the long-awaited new millenium finally getting closer, creating a futuristic atmosphere that surely helped the public to receive the then-surprising technology progress in their everyday, including seeing all the big companies’ evolutions. But if the car fans’ desktop images were used to follow only Ferrari or Porsche’s news, a British automaker suddenly stole all the attentions. This article’s car proves that now, two decades later, McLaren’s time arrives once again.
There will always be controversies concerning the first place of some records, but what is known for sure is that after being entitled in 1998 as the fastest production car in the world, F1 was overcome by other vehicles but still makes part of the top 5. So far it isn’t known if McLaren will try to retrieve the golden medal, but the fact is P1 has everything to succeed it when it comes to the image. This goes much further than only the fact of the new coupé being McLaren’s latest flagship car: if one of its goals was to exalt its own brand, there are no doubts that this has been achieved even before the official release (which will be made at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show). The design shows a conceptual mixture, creating visual connections not only with the current design trends but also with the iconic predecessor. There is an astonishing combination of smooth and strong lines, creating a much more organic silhouette than a Lamborghini’s but filled with very well-designed elements whose design boldness isn’t seen even on the latest Ferraris. Everything is intended to improve the aerodynamics, making the vehicle look stuck to the ground just like an F-1. Besides that, using large portions in two contrasting colors helps to make it look nimbler, without the size impression of an Aventador, for example.
Once again the doors have gullwing-opening, but the fans will miss F1’s central position for the driver. Just like most of the other sports cars on their competition-inspired versions, P1’s cutting-edge technologies are more focused on weight reduction than on pampering the couple of lucky occupants. There will be full climate control, GPS navigation and even a Meridian sound system, but having all the controls facing the driver gives enough explanation of who this car puts in charge of everything. Besides, there’s carbon fiber in almost everything, since the MonoCage chassis and the external panels to the console and even the seats, which will be customized specifically for each customer and its favorite “+1”. The weight concern goes to extremes such as the car giving away internal coatings, sound isolation and even some of the seats foam. There isn’t powertrain information so far, but this car is highly expected to bring an improved variation of MP4-12C’s engine. Such power will be controlled by a very interesting fully-digital dashboard, with a large central screen and an auxiliary one on each side. In other words, even when McLaren needs to surrender to the current car trends it is done in style – two other amazing examples are the lights: since the intention was to use LEDs, this rear set must be the most creative ever seen on a production car. And when it comes to the front, what would deserve bigger applause than having the headlights shaped as McLaren’s logo?
