McLaren P1 made its debut as a design study at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012. We have also seen P1 prototypes testing at various locations, with the last ones from Spain, showing the F1 successor up close.

McLaren has now released a video footage and three official pictures of the P1 prototype, ahead of an official debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The camouflage on the prototypes incorporates the outlines of famous circuits from across the world, each of which is significant in the history of the brand.Power is expected to come from an updated 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 found in the 12C mated to Formula 1 style KERS system for a total output of around 800bhp.At the Paris Motor Show in September, McLaren Automotive Managing Director Antony Sheriff said:

‘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’.. ‘It is the true test of a supercar’s all round ability and a much more important technical statement. Our goal is to make the McLaren P1 the most exciting, most capable, most technologically advanced and most dynamically accomplished supercar ever made.’

First deliveries are expected to commence in late 2013, just in time for McLaren’s 50th anniversary.

From the press release:

Development of the McLaren P1™ continues ahead of its next global appearance
XP development cars shown carrying race track-inspired camouflage
The McLaren P1™ was unveiled to the world as a design study at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012, and was met with the glare of a thousand camera flashes. Since then, development of the technology beneath the carbon fibre skin has continued at great pace. The team at McLaren Automotive has continued the relentless testing programme for the car. The goal being: to produce the best driver’s car in the world on road and track.
The latest short video gives the most detailed view yet of the production McLaren P1™. Leveraging five decades of skills and knowledge gained through the company’s involvement at the pinnacle of motorsport and through Formula 1 techniques and processes, the McLaren P1™ promises to raise the supercar performance bar.
Using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) aerodynamic modelling and bespoke Formula 1™-derived dynamics simulation tools, outstanding performance against aggressive targets was established even before the first prototype builds. Detailed analysis has continued hand in hand with physical testing to accelerate the further development of the McLaren P1™.
A dedicated team of McLaren engineers, technicians and racing drivers are running a fleet of XP-codenamed vehicles, around the clock in some of the most demanding conditions, and on roads and circuits across the globe. The rigorous testing procedures for the McLaren P1™ have seen the development team working closely with McLaren Automotive technology partners on bespoke components and developments, including Akebono on a highly-efficient braking system, Pirelli on high performance tyres and Mobil 1 on leading cooling, lubrication and hydraulic fluids. As all these activities converge on the final specification, a remarkable vehicle is emerging. The McLaren P1™ is set to deliver truly outstanding road and track dynamics and performance, coupled with levels of driveability and refinement unprecedented in such a supercar.
The obsession to detail which McLaren is known for carries through with the work being done by the McLaren P1™ development team. This fascination that everything should be designed for a reason has filtered down even to the striking camouflage being worn on the development cars. Designed in-house by the team behind the shape of the car, the graphic incorporates the outlines of famous circuits from across the world, each of which is significant in the history of the brand.
The race is now on for the McLaren P1™ ahead of the next public appearance…

 

<iframe width=”500″ height=”315″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/embed/gNtPrbHrA-M” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>