It’s been over a decade since the McLaren P1 debuted, and it seems a successor may finally be on the horizon. McLaren recently released a video highlighting its iconic “1” cars, the F1 and P1, with employees discussing what makes these models legendary. The video concludes with a date and time: October 6th, 1:00 PM British Summer Time, hinting at a potential unveiling, possibly of the long-awaited P1 successor, or at least a teaser.
Earlier this year, McLaren reportedly gave dealers a preview of a new hypercar, code-named P18, which is expected to feature a hybrid V8 powertrain. This new engine, which McLaren confirmed to be in development last year, will replace the twin-turbo V8 that has powered the brand’s models since 2011’s MP4-12C. Alongside this new engine, the P1 successor will introduce a fresh design language.
The original P1 was revealed in 2012, forming part of the renowned “Holy Trinity” of hybrid hypercars alongside the Porsche 918 Spyder and Ferrari LaFerrari. Its hybrid twin-turbo V-8 produced 903hp and 900Nm of torque, and its lightweight carbon-fibre construction kept its weight at approximately 1510kg. The P1 also featured advanced technologies like a hydraulic cross-linked suspension and active aerodynamics, making it one of the fastest and most capable hypercars even today.
Since then, McLaren has produced other hypercars, including the Senna, Speedtail, and Elva, though none have matched the P1’s legendary status. With this new “1” car, McLaren aims to recapture the groundbreaking spirit of the P1 and F1.
