Performance Review: McLaren P1 3.8 V8 Hybrid - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

McLaren P1 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the McLaren P1 3.8 V8 Hybrid is the 7 speed / Paddle Shift version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo and the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance.This particular McLaren P1 has a 3799cc Twin Turbo Hybrid powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Hybrid V8's includes the 2013 Porsche 918 Spyder 4.6 V8

The P1 shares its Hybrid V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2013 Porsche 918 Spyder 4.6 V8 and the If you're looking for other fast cars which share the P1's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1395 kgs (3075 lbs) this makes the McLaren P1 3.8 V8 Hybrid in the same weight category as the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 or the give or take 50kg.

The McLaren P1 shares the same bhp with the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (740 bhp)

In terms of power the 3799cc 32V V8 engine produces 727 bhp (542 kW) @ 7500 rpm similar to the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (740 bhp) or the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (740 bhp).

The Twin Turbo V8 throws out 531 lb-ft (719.9 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (553 lb-ft) or the 2023 Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12 Petrol Hybrid (535 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the McLaren P1 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1999 Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged (545.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the McLaren P1.

The McLaren P1 has a Power to weight ratio of 521.1 bhp per ton and 380.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 P1 competing with the 1999 Ariel Atom 300 Supercharged (545.4 bhp per ton) or the 2021 McLaren 675 LT Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (543.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the McLaren P1 generating around 380.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged (401.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 (400.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 2.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.0 secs, this made the McLaren P1 3.8 V8 Hybrid as fast as the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (2.90 secs) the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8 C8 (2.90 secs) the 2021 Maserati MC20 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (2.90 secs) the or the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 CS 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 (2.90 secs). This McLaren P1 3.8 V8 Hybrid is also faster than the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo (3.00 secs) the 2022 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica 5.2 V10 (3.00 secs) the 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Z51 6.2 V8 C8 (3.00 secs) the and the 2021 McLaren Artura 3.0 V6 Turbo Hybrid (3.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the P1 and the 1993 TVR Chimaera 4.5

When talking about the performance of the McLaren P1 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 10.37 secs @ 131.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 TVR Chimaera 4.5 (10.33 secs), the 2012 Ferrari California 30 F1 4.3l V8 (10.33 secs), and the 2017 BMW 4 Series M4 Coupe F82 (10.33 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the McLaren P1 3.8 V8 Hybrid has a maximum speed of 217mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 P1 equals the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo (228 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2013 McLaren P1 3.8 V8 Hybrid then how about the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo (228 mph), the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo (229 mph), or the 2022 Pagani Huayra Codalunga 6.0 V12 Twin-Turbo Long Tail (230 mph).

Related Links:

2013 P1 Rivals List.

A Brief History of McLaren

Car Comparison