Automotive

McLaren's P1 gets tested under the broiler in southern US states

McLaren's P1 gets tested under the broiler in southern US states
McLaren ran the P1 out in Nevada, California and Arizona as part of its extreme heat testing sessions
McLaren ran the P1 out in Nevada, California and Arizona as part of its extreme heat testing sessions
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Temperatures in the test areas hit 116 degrees Farenheit (52 C) ... no word on how the car survived the record-breaking temperatures
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Temperatures in the test areas hit 116 degrees Farenheit (52 C) ... no word on how the car survived the record-breaking temperatures
The P1 develops 727 horsepower via a 3.8 twin-turbocharged engine, and 176 electric hp via a rear mounted generator, for a total of 903 hp
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The P1 develops 727 horsepower via a 3.8 twin-turbocharged engine, and 176 electric hp via a rear mounted generator, for a total of 903 hp
First shipments of the 375 limited-edition P1s will take place over the next few weeks
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First shipments of the 375 limited-edition P1s will take place over the next few weeks
McLaren ran the P1 out in Nevada, California and Arizona as part of its extreme heat testing sessions
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McLaren ran the P1 out in Nevada, California and Arizona as part of its extreme heat testing sessions
Few places on the planet get as hot as California's Death Valley, making it an ideal testbed for extreme engineering exercises
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Few places on the planet get as hot as California's Death Valley, making it an ideal testbed for extreme engineering exercises
Southwestern states offer up some of the sweetest, high speed roads in the entire US ... extreme thermal conditions included
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Southwestern states offer up some of the sweetest, high speed roads in the entire US ... extreme thermal conditions included
McLaren tested the P1 under some of the hottest conditions the southwest US has ever seen
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McLaren tested the P1 under some of the hottest conditions the southwest US has ever seen
This is the first road showing of the undisguised P1 in its new Carbon Black finish
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This is the first road showing of the undisguised P1 in its new Carbon Black finish
When the P1 is travelling at its 217 mph top speed, wind force should be sufficient to keep key components cool
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When the P1 is travelling at its 217 mph top speed, wind force should be sufficient to keep key components cool
The “exposed” P1 is even more menacing and extreme looking than previous brightly saturated showcars
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The “exposed” P1 is even more menacing and extreme looking than previous brightly saturated showcars
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McLaren’s P1 has already proven itself in Arctic exercises, but more recently it was the job of California, Nevada and Arizona to gang up on the supercar as part of an extreme heat testing scenario. The P1, which McLaren is set to begin delivering in a few weeks, appears to have remained undaunted as temperatures hit record highs of 116ºF (52ºC) during test runs in its new, undisguised finish.

With McLaren delivering the first of the limited-edition 375 cars over the next few weeks, the team has been under pressure to finish up extreme test scenarios in order to fine tune engine settings, cabin temperatures or cooling issues before delivery. Since the P1 will be developing 727 horsepower via a 3.8 twin-turbocharged engine, and another 176 electric hp via a rear mounted generator for a total of 903 hp, it’s slightly important the performance hybrid remain cool under all conditions.

When the P1 is traveling at its 217 mph (349 km/h) top speed, wind force should be sufficient to keep select components cool, but under regular stop-and-go traffic and normal highway driving, keeping a hyper-exotic's elaborate array of performance parts comfortable can be challenging.

Few places on the planet get as hot as California's Death Valley, making it an ideal testbed for extreme engineering exercises
Few places on the planet get as hot as California's Death Valley, making it an ideal testbed for extreme engineering exercises

In addition to the testing for heat weaknesses, this is also the first time McLaren has shown the car – on the road – in an undisguised nature. No zig-zaggy winter camouflage this time out. To better blend in, McLaren dropped one very hot “Carbon Black” version of the P1 into the middle of California's Death Valley. The black P1 is even more menacing and extreme than the previous brightly saturated color schemes McLaren has brought to the shows.

There's no word yet on how the car survived the record-breaking temperatures and what revisions needed to be made. Whatever the case, some of the testing can be seen in the video below.

The first of the limited-edition P1’s should be on the road by the end of September. McLaren's P1 is part of the company's 50 Year Anniversary celebrations.

Source: McLaren

The McLaren P1™ Tested to Extremes - Part 2: Heat

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2 comments
2 comments
jayedwin98020
Looking at the car's exterior, it appears to be McLaren's answer to the Corvette.
warren52nz
Sex on wheels! If the McLaren is their answer to the Corvette then Corvette is GM's answer to the RX7 FD3S. Every time I see a Corvette from the same era as the FD3S, I mistake it for an RX7 until it gets really close but the RX7 came first.