McLaren P1 Electric Power Confirmed at MP4-28 Unveil
Getting ready for the 2013 F1 season, McLaren revealed its updated MP4-28 race car on Thursday, with a special guest appearance by the McLaren P1 and its all-electric reverse motor.
The P1 was piloted into the building by F1 racer Jenson Button, under the gas engine’s power. When the car was removed however, it was reversed out of the building using pure electric power, with the announcer simply saying, “listen to the electric reverse motor.”
All signs previously pointed towards the car running with some kind of electrification, and now it is at least confirmed that there is an electric-motor on board. McLaren will likely utilize its KERS system that is in place on the brand’s F1 cars, as the P1 is said to marry McLaren’s F1 cars and road cars.
SEE ALSO: McLaren P1 New Details Revealed
The new McLaren F1 car was revealed as well, which uses a molded carbon fiber monocoque chassis and is powered by an eight-cylinder 2.4-liter engine that weighs in at 210 pounds. That power is combined with an 80 hp electric motor sourced from Mercedes-Benz.
GALLERY: McLaren P1 at MP4-28 Reveal
Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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