NEWS: McLaren P1 Performance Figures Unveiled

McLaren's P1 hypercar performance figures have been released, and make for some unreal reading, in all areas! Check them out below...

Acceleration
0-100km/h (62 mph) 0-200km/h (124 mph) 0-300km/h (186 mph) Standing quarter mile (400m) V Max	2.8 seconds 6.8 seconds 16.5 seconds 9.8 seconds @ 245 km/h (152 mph) 350 km/h (217 mph) electronically limited
Braking
100-0 km/h m (ft) [sec] 200-0 km/h m (ft) [sec] 300-0 km/h m (ft) [sec]	30.2 (99) [2.9] 116 (380) [4.5] 246 (806) [6.2]
Fuel efficiency
mpg (combined) litres/100km	34.0 mpg 8.3 l/100km
Emissions
CO2	194 g/km

McLaren says:

Groundbreaking levels of performance
The McLaren P1™ has been designed from the outset with one clear goal: to be the best driver’s car on road and track. The confirmation of the performance figures underlines this, and gives further insight into the potential of the latest model from the Woking-based firm.
Fitted with a twin powerplant powertrain generating 916 PS (903 bhp) from the highly efficient 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 petrol engine and the lightweight electric motor, the McLaren P1™ storms from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 2.8 seconds, and hits 200 km/h (124 mph) in 6.8 seconds – quicker than many hot hatches reach half that speed.
The relentless acceleration, delivered as a result of the instant torque offered by the electric motors and the optimised turbos, sees the McLaren P1™ reach 300 km/h (186 mph) in just 16.5 seconds. By way of a benchmark, this is a full 5.5 seconds quicker than the legendary McLaren F1. Top speed is electronically limited to 350 km/h (217 mph).
Despite these impressive figures, the McLaren P1™ still returns 34.0 mpg (8.3 l/100km) on the EU combined cycle, with CO₂ emissions of 194 g/km. The electric motor offers a range of 11 km (6.8 miles) in full electric mode on the NEDC cycle, which sees emissions drop to zero.
The braking figures are equally as impressive for the McLaren P1™, with the levels of performance provided by the bespoke Akebono system. The specially formulated carbon ceramic discs, coated in silicon carbide, can bring the McLaren P1™ to a halt from 62 mph (100 km/h) in a distance of just 30.2 metres. This figure is even more impressive when compared to the recognised stopping distances, which suggests that more than three times the distance – 102 metres – is required to bring a car to a halt from 100 km/h (62 mph).

First customer takes delivery
In a year of celebration for McLaren, this week has seen another significant milestone in an important chapter of McLaren Automotive with the first customer delivery of the groundbreaking McLaren P1™. Series production of the latest addition to the McLaren range commenced over the summer, and the first car, finished in a striking Volcano Yellow and contrasting visual carbon fibre, rolled off the bespoke production line at the end of September – a fitting tribute during the month of the 50^th anniversary celebrations.
The first example of the McLaren P1™ was collected from the McLaren Technology Centre by its UK-based owner.
“We designed the McLaren P1™ from the outset with one clear goal: to be the best driver’s car on road and track. The confirmation of the performance figures underlines this. 
“I am very proud of our Woking based team and everything they have achieved with this ambitious project.  The handover of the first McLaren P1™ is another milestone in our 50 year history,” commented Mike Flewitt, CEO, McLaren Automotive Ltd.

The P1 production process 
A total of 375 examples of the McLaren P1™ will be produced, and will be hand-built in the state-of-the-art McLaren Production Centre (MPC) in Woking, England. This £40 million Foster + Partners designed facility is an ultimate embodiment of McLaren values, fusing precise production techniques with hand craftsmanship and incredible attention to detail.
The McLaren P1™ is custom-built by a carefully selected team of 82 technicians in a four-stage assembly process. From start to finish, the build takes 17 days of skilled work. Once running at full capacity, the McLaren P1™ line will see one car completed each day, with production due to run until mid-2015.
Stage 1: Structural Assembly
The bespoke manufacturing process commences with the preparation of the carbon fibre MonoCage chassis. The one-piece MonoCage weighs just 90kgs, and includes the integrated roof structure, an integral roof snorkel and air intake ducts, as well as providing a fully sealed compartment for the battery.
Stage 2: Painting
In total the McLaren P1™ consists of seven lightweight panels, all of which are made from carbon fibre – front and rear clamshells, bonnet, doors, front and rear bumpers. Due to the extended painting processes involved, and to minimise disruption to the facility within MPC used for the 12C and 12C Spider, each McLaren P1™ is prepared and hand painted in a dedicated paintshop in the McLaren Technology Centre while the chassis structure is being prepared.
The complete set of body panels for each McLaren P1™ is painted together to ensure a perfect colour match. This process takes three days, including surface preparation of the carbon fibre panels to ensure flawless paintwork on every single car.
Stage 3: Trim Assembly
The fully prepared carbon fibre MonoCage chassis and the hand-painted carbon fibre body panels are brought together on a dedicated production line within the MPC. This ten-stage process is the most recent addition to the MPC, and sees the sub-assembly of battery, front sub-frame, doors, rear clamshells and bumpers fitted as it moves along the line.
Two dedicated McLaren technicians work on each of the production stages for the McLaren P1™, with each step taking a full working day to complete.
Stage 4: Final Assembly
As each car reaches the end of the McLaren P1™ line, it is then subjected to the same rigorous testing regime and sophisticated quality control procedures as the 12C and 12C Spider models to ensure it meets the required quality and performance levels. This phase of production takes a total of seven days to complete.
For the McLaren P1™, this includes a full day shakedown at a proving ground, testing every element of the car’s performance. The McLaren test drivers and a team of technicians run through the different settings and modes to examine and verify the performance ahead of final delivery to the customer.
Each example of the McLaren P1™ is then put through the Monsoon Test, in which 16,000 litres of de-ionised recycled water is released on to the car to ensure all seals are correctly finished. A complete underbody check and diagnostics review is then carried out, before the final dispatch audit confirmation.

Now we're just waiting for that Green Hell lap time and video...

NEWS: Alfa Romeo 4C Nürburgring 8:04 Lap

Alfa's gorgeous new 4C supercar has posted a class record-breaking and very respectable Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 8:04 – making it the fastest car with an engine under 250bhp.
The lap was done by journalist and Nordschleife expert, Horst von Saurma on September 12, 2013, as part of a vast test program by Alfa Romeo that's seen the 4C tested from ‐35° in Sweden to +40° in Abu Dhabi, from the Arizona (USA) deserts, to the slopes of Mt. Etna in Sicily and from the Balocco test track in Italy track (where all Alfa Romeos have been developed, perfected and tested since 1962), to this record-breaking lap at the Nürburgring.
Alfa say: "The 'Green Hell' proved to be the ideal place to put the performance features of the Alfa Romeo 4C to the test. This true, uncompromised driving machine delivers its best on the track, where speed, short braking distances and transverse acceleration are essential to get first‐rate lap times: 0 to 62mph in 4.5 seconds; 160mph of top speed; deceleration peaks in the range of 1.2 g; lateral acceleration peaks of over 1.1g and optimum weight distribution ‐ 40% over the front axle and 60% over the rear, not to mention a power-to-weight ratio of over 250hp per tonne, values worthy of true supercar.

"In addition to its superb agility and phenomenal grip, credit must also be apportioned to the new 240hp 1750 Turbo Petrol engine, the latest‐generation ALFA TCT' dry twin clutch gearbox and the advanced Alfa D.N.A. selector with its newly-introduced “Race” mode. The new four-cylinder 1750 Turbo Petrol - with direct injection at 200 bar and an aluminium block - sets new records for torque and specific power for this size of engine, at over 200 Nm/litre (147.5 lb ft/litre) and 137hp/litre respectively, while maximum power of 240hp is reached at 6,000 rpm. The maximum torque of 350Nm (258 lb ft) ensures extraordinary elasticity and sportiness since it is maintained constant between 2,100 and 4,000 rpm with 80% of the torque already available from just 1,800 rpm.
"Also contributing to the Alfa Romeo 4C's performance at the Nürburgring were the special Pirelli P Zero Trofeo tyres, the sportiest version in the Pirelli P Zero line. A record was set not only on the track, but also in the development of the tyres: It took less than one year of collaboration between Pirelli and Alfa Romeo engineers to develop of the best solution for guaranteeing grip and precision while driving of the Alfa Romeo 4C. These special 'AR' P Zero tyres, available in two sizes, 17" front and 18" rear or 18" front and 19" rear, ensure grip, performance, sportiness and precision. The 'AR Racing' tyres, offered only in 18" front and 19" rear sizes, have been developed not only with road driving in mind, but also for use on the track."

Bravo! 

See some more pics of the adventure here.