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McLaren EV supercar: Here's the math that says it's 5-10 years off

It emerged last December that McLaren had built an all-electric testbed for a future EV supercar, to go along with the English automaker's $1.4 billion investment in electrified powertrains. But as we told you a few weeks ago, McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt said that such a car was, as a practical matter, years away from production. Now COO Jens Ludmann has put some numbers to the carmaker's quest, saying, "[The] Senna has 800 PS [Pferdestarke] on 1,200 kg, that's about the power to weight that we're looking for." He's talking about 789 horsepower in a package lighter than a base Honda Civic Coupe. The issue isn't energy capacity, it's energy density. Said Ludmann, "[The] battery technology should achieve 500 watt-hours per kilogram. That is a level where it really makes sense. Today we are around 180 watt-hours per kilogram." McLaren Engineering provides batteries for Formula E rated at 216 Wh/kg, but those packs aren't suitable for a consumer road car. According to what the company's learned from the battery industry, we're 5 to 10 years away from 500 watt-hours per kilogram for a roadworthy vehicle. In 2015 Rimac unveiled a battery it made for the Koenigsegg Regera. Said to be the most energy-dense car battery at the time, it boasted a power-to-weigh ratio of 60 Wh/kg. Figure that the battery industry's adding 40 Wh/kg per year — which gets us from 2015 to Ludmann's 180 Wh/kg current state of affairs. Using that measure, we're 8-10 years away from 500 Wh. McLaren wants its theoretical EV owner to be able to do 30 minutes or 10 hard laps at the track, be "as exciting as a 675LT," and recharge in 30 minutes for another half-hour track session. That battery would need exceptionally high energy density, and the cells and electronics would need to stand up to constant high power output and extreme discharge cycles. To enable that with today's battery tech, you'd end up with a vehicle that could do 500 miles in everyday road use, be far too heavy for McLaren's aims, and take far too long to charge. Ludmann told Wheels magazine everything else about the EV supercar is "all resolved — easy." While we dig in for what could be a lengthy wait, we'll have to be satisfied with the McLaren hybrids that should start showing up in a couple of years. Related Video:

McLaren Special Ops to showcase custom 570S at Pebble Beach

McLaren will be returning to Pebble Beach this summer to showcase the customization options it offers through its Special Operations division. Though it will exhibit an array of models from its range of supercars, the focus this year will be on the 570S that kicks off the company's new entry-level Sports Series. And it'll be highlighted by the example you see here. This particular 570S coupe has been decked out by MSO in a special Mauvine Blue paint with coordinating interior treatment in black leather. It'll be joined by a second 570S in Ventura Orange with options selected from the MSO Defined catalog. The pair of Sports Series models will give prospective buyers – of which we don't doubt there'll be more than a few in Monterey this month – a couple of ideas as to how they might specify their own. Rounding out Woking's presence at the concours will be a pair of limited-edition models from the next-step-up Super Series. There'll be a 650S Le Mans edition in Sarthe Grey and a 675LT, but neither will be available for sale as McLaren has already sold out the entire production runs of both, limited to 50 and 500 examples, respectively. To highlight its heritage, the company will also be showcasing a 1996 McLaren F1 GTR – specifically #17R in star-spangled FINA livery – on loan from BMW North America. Collectors looking to take something tasty home with them will also want to check out the concurrent RM Sotheby's sale, where a Volcano Red P1 will be offered alongside a '98 F1 with LM upgrades. Related Video: McLAREN SPECIAL OPERATIONS RETURNS TO PEBBLE BEACH WITH ONE-OFF 570S Four years on from its global launch, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) will return to the manicured lawns of the USA's famous Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance later this month with a selection of distinctive and beautiful commissions. The bespoke division of McLaren will showcase some of the individualisation options it will make available on the forthcoming new 570S Coupe, the first model to join the McLaren Sports Series. Two examples have been created. The first 570S Coupe 'by MSO' features the uniquely formulated Mauvine Blue paint finish coupled with a bespoke interior finished in Carbon Black leather with co-ordinating detailing, carried through from the exterior colour. A second 570S Coupe, finished in Ventura Orange and fitted with a selection of styling details from the MSO Defined range of options, will take up position on the popular Concept Lawn at the event.

McLaren recalls P1 for faulty backup hood latch

The Basics: McLaren Automotive is recalling 122 examples of its P1 hybrid hypercar in the United States, manufactured at the McLaren Production Centre in Woking, England, between March 1, 2013, and October 31, 2015. The Problem: After being disengaged, the secondary hood latch may not properly reengage. So if the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, the front hood could open while the vehicle is in motion, severely hindering visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. (Later examples are already fitted with the new latch.) Injuries/Deaths: Only one incident was reported wherein the hood opened while the vehicle was in motion. The fix: McLaren dealers will install a redesigned hood latch starting this month. The remedy is only expected to take a technician half an hour to complete. If you own one: First of all, you're a very fortunate individual. As relates to the recall, you can expect to hear from the manufacturer to bring your P1 into one of the 18 McLaren dealers across the country to have the repair work carried out. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Hood may Open While Driving/FMVSS 113 Report Receipt Date: DEC 11, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V836000 Component(s): LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Potential Number of Units Affected: 122 Manufacturer: McLaren Automotive Incorporated SUMMARY: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 P1 hybrid vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to October 31, 2015. The affected vehicles have a secondary hood latch that may not properly re-engage. As a result, if the primary latch is released inadvertently, the hood may open while the vehicle is moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 113, "Hood Latch System." CONSEQUENCE: If the hood opens while driving it may increase the risk of a crash. REMEDY: McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hood latch with a newly-designed latch, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in January 2016. Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.