First pictures of the McLaren P1 hypercar

This is the McLaren P1 and it’s here to make a statement! “The McLaren P1 has one simple goal: to be the best driver’s car in the world on road and track,” reads the press statement below.

In one fell swoop McLaren has quickly put to rest any criticism that its designers played it too safe with the MP4-12C. It’s now clear that was just the entrée. The main course is the P1 and its KERS-enhanced drivetrain, ranging anywhere from 800–960hp, depending on who you listen to.

Previously referred to as the MP4-P12 or 24C, the boldly named P1 is McLaren’s 21st century sequel to the all-conquering F1 road car. At this stage we’ve only got these three studio photos to go on; there’s not even a hint as to the car’s official performance specs. We’ll have to wait for the P1’s unveiling on 27 September.

So far, though, we like what we see! And we have sat back and taken notice of these ambitious words from Ron Dennis: “The McLaren P1 will be the result of 50 years of racing and road car heritage. Twenty years ago we raised the supercar performance bar with the McLaren F1 and our goal with the McLaren P1 is to redefine it once again.”

McLaren aims for pole position in Paris

McLaren Automotive will use its first ever international motor show appearance to preview its next generation ultimate supercar – the McLaren P1 – which takes much of its technological and spiritual inspiration from the company’s Racing division. The McLaren P1 has one simple goal: to be the best driver’s car in the world on road and track.

At the Paris Motor Show, Mondial de l’Automobile 2012, the McLaren P1 is previewed as a design study. Next year a production version, which the company aims to put on sale within 12 months, will be revealed.

‘The McLaren P1 will be the result of 50 years of racing and road car heritage,’ says McLaren Automotive Executive Chairman Ron Dennis. ‘Twenty years ago we raised the supercar performance bar with the McLaren F1 and our goal with the McLaren P1 is to redefine it once again.’

‘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,’ says McLaren Automotive Managing Director Antony Sheriff. ‘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.’

When the McLaren P1 goes into production later next year, it will sit above the 12C and 12C Spider, in terms of both price and performance.

More information will be released following the McLaren Automotive press conference scheduled for 17.45 CEST (16.45 BST), on Thursday 27 September 2012.