McLaren P1-- aka, the "New" F1-- Stuns the Paris Motor Show

If you're a fan of the F1, McLaren's eternally intriguing masterpiece of design and engineering, your anticipation (and concern over the integrity of) the so-called "new F1" is likely probably short of obsessive... and if ever there were big shoes to fill in the so-called hypercar realm, they most certainly belong to McLaren's 20 year-old three-seater.

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When an expansively stretched silk lifted to reveal the F1's spiritual successor earlier today at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, the crowds gathered at the McLaren booth had no shortage of curves, scoops, and carbon fiber contours to lay their eyes on. Penned by designer Frank Stephenson and aerodynamically tweaked by Simon Lacey of Formula 1 racing fame, the P1 is a fascinating study in form, function, and sky's-the-limit design. Twin "nostrils" rise from the bonnet, expelling "dirty" air over the greenhouse and between the door-mounted engine intakes and the central snorkel for additional engine cooling; active right and left aero flaps, a la Pagani's Huayra, are hidden behind the chin spoiler; adjustable ride height, rumored to be switched hydraulically into three settings, enables ground-hugging proximity to pavement or a taller, more practical position; a rear spoiler lifts nearly a foot and changes its angle of attack to provide low drag, downforce, or air brake functionality. When it's traveling at track level speeds, the P1's bodywork is capable of producing a staggering 1,300 pounds of downforce-- like "a baby elephant sitting on the roof," according to McLaren chairman Ron Dennis.

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While the P1-- short for "Position One"-- appears to have the makings of the ultimate road going sports car, exactly how it compares against competition like Ferrari's "new" Enzo and Porsche's 918 Spyder remains to be seen. Though its rumored to have 600 horsepower per ton-- which might make it approach the magical 1,000 hp figure-- we won't know for certain until the production version of the P1 premieres at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show next March. Stay tuned!

Source: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/auto-blog/mclaren-p1-supercar-debuts-at-paris-motor-show?src=rss

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