Drawing from McLaren's F1 heritage, the P1 has a drag-reduction system (DRS), using a dual-stage, active rear wing that extends up to nearly 12 inches (on a racetrack) and nearly five inches on the road, pitching to a maximum angle of 29 degrees. McLaren says the function was developed using methods and software lifted from its F1 squad. But whereas an F1 car's DRS system uses a movable flap in the rear wing, the P1's just an overall change in pitch.
Active aero continues. A pair of flaps mounted under the body, forward of the front wheels, change angle — from zero to 60 degrees — to boost downforce. Otherwise, the underbody is generally smooth, creating stick-to-pavement suction through ground effects.
Ultimately, the P1 is a downforce car, producing 1,323 pounds of the stuff — or five times as much as the McLaren MP4-12C. Combined with the rear wing, which also acts as an air brake, the front flaps improve handling, braking and straight-line stability. Despite the massive downforce, the P1's drag coefficient is a typically sports-car-like 0.34.
So what is the mission statement of the P1? The company position is that the P1's raison d'être is to become the "quickest and most rewarding series production car on a circuit." Top speed be damned, they say. That leaves it off the hook among those who might insist the P1 match the Bugatti Veyron note for note.
What's the engine? McLaren's not talking. Neither are they talking about the suspension. What they are saying is that the P1 will have a power-to-weight ratio of 600 metric horsepower per tonne — or around four pounds for every horsepower.
