2014 McLaren P1

OVERVIEW

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Bruce Canepa’s Personal Car
“One-of-One” Custom Bespoke Canepa P1

The McLaren P1 needs no introduction. A technological tour de force, the limited production rear-wheel-drive hypercar is as comfortable slotting into a hybrid-only parking spot, as it is happy attempting to rip a hole through time. Propelling the P1 is a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine that delivers 727 bhp and 531 lb-ft of torque. This combines with an in-house developed electric motor producing a further 177 bhp and 192 lb-ft for a total horsepower and torque output of 904 bhp and 723 lb-ft respectively. The electric motor can be deployed both manually, or left in automatic mode, whereby the P1’s ECU’s torque fill the gaps in the gas engines low points, such as during gear changes, or when the turbos are spooling up, all providing for an outrageous powerband of almost 7000 rpm.

The P1 blurred the lines between Formula 1 and hypercar technology with features such as a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), a steering wheel controlled Instant Power Assist System (IPAS), which provides an instant boost in acceleration via the electric motor, and a Drag Reduction System (DRS) which controls the cars rear wing to increase straight line speed. The P1’s aerodynamics adapt to its environment, continuously solving how best to take advantage of the air it is speeding through. Acceleration from standstill to 60 mph comes in 2.6 seconds, with 186 mph achieved in 16.5 seconds, a full 5.5 seconds faster than the ground breaking McLaren F1. The standing quarter mile is covered in just 9.75 seconds at 153 mph.

This car, number 105 of 375 total examples built for world-wide consumption, is “one-of-one” in the custom formulated color, Canepa Blue. Jointly developed by Canepa and McLaren, and taking five months to perfect, the hue is a blend of tones that together create a transparent electric navy blue effect, that not only looks an inch deep, but comes alive under the various lighting conditions throughout the twenty-four hours in a day. The bespoke Canepa Blue coachwork extends to the normally bare carbon fiber side coves and extremities of the front bumper. The emblems too, are custom made for this car, with a F1 heritage “McLaren” badge adorning the nose, and “P1” insignia on the wheels and steering wheel center, all approved by Ron Dennis to appear in place of the cars standard McLaren swoosh logo.

The “one-of-one” treatment extends to the interior with Graphite Alcantara replacing the leather normally seen on the upper dashboard surfaces. Matching Graphite Alcantara wraps the seats along with custom Navy Blue leather inserts with silver stitching, all carefully chosen by Bruce to compliment the Canepa Blue exterior. Finally, the wheels are coated in Canepa’s proprietary magnesium finish.

Sold with a current full service by McLaren, and just 1,300 miles since new, Bruce Canepa’s one-of-one McLaren P1 is a timeless automotive design masterpiece that begs to be put through its paces by one new caretaker.