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2015 McLaren P1 [w/video]

We have already raved about the Porsche 918 Spyder, and all indications suggest we'll be moved to dispense flowery Italian prose about the upcoming Ferrari LaFerrari (even if the name does sound like a skip on a 45-rpm record). In between these two hypercars comes this British mind-boggle better known as the McLaren P1. As a pure driver's exoticar, the P1 outshines the Porsche in dynamics and nimbleness, while the 918 engineers the miracle of potentially exceptional mileage combined with face-flattening speed that equals the Big Mac. Both cost around $1 million ($845,000 for the 918, $1.15 million for the P1 – at this level, what's a few hundred-thousand dollars among friends?), and both get most normal humans as close to experiencing Formula One for the street without driving something that looks like a single-seat, open-wheel car. You can imagine my excitement as I was ushered over to Dunsfold Airfield south of London to have my cherished laps in McLaren P1 validation prototype No. 5. I have never experienced good weather here, but I was thankfully blessed with tepid air and brilliant late winter sunshine for this drive. This means that there wasn't the usual standing rainwater on the scrappy Top Gear test track. As I arrived at the McLaren bunker alongside the makeshift circuit, the mellow, flame-yellow P1 I was to drive was already going through motions in a client's hands. This client and his charming wife were just finishing up several laps of their own, including some absolutely scorching rounds with McLaren chief test pilot Chris Goodwin, as well as with McLaren GT3 driver Duncan Tappy. The couple was as giddy as teenagers when I talked with them, smiling from ear to ear. And they were not from Dubai, not from Moscow, not from Singapore, and not from Beverly Hills. They were from Ohio, so leave your rich people stereotypes at the door. I should get on with the drive experience, but a primer about what this McLaren proposes to the driver is needed. Like the MP4-12C, the P1's "petrol-electric" plug-in hybrid sits on the same aluminum-carbon composite architecture and uses the company's M838T 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 built by Ricardo. From there, it's all changes and intelligently pumped-up performance numbers. In E-mode, the electric motor can run things alone over a maximum of approximately 7.5 miles. A dry P1 sitting empty weighs a stated 3,075 pounds, which is not far off the weight of a 570-horsepower Ferrari 458 Italia.

McLaren debuting lighter, more powerful 675LT in Geneva

McLaren has quite an event in store for the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. The British sports car maker already confirmed the debut of the production-intent version of the P1 GTR track-only supercar, and now the brand has added the 675LT to that list of unveilings with a brief teaser video. Two of the biggest details about the latest McLaren come right in its name. The 675 is a reference to its power in PS, which equals 666 horsepower in our system. That's a healthy 25-hp boost over the standard 650S. The LT suffix stands for longtail, and is an allusion to the famous F1 GTR Longtail with its much more aggressive bodywork later in the F1's racing career. McLaren already teased the more potent version's look (pictured below), but it's not easy to spot all the performance add-ons. Still, the brand is promising the 675LT to be the "the lightest, the quickest, and the purest version in the range." The coupe-only model benefits from tweaked aerodynamics for increased downforce, a lower weight and claims on enhanced driver engagement. Deliveries begin later this year. At the same time, McLaren is tweaking its naming scheme, yet again. The brand now refers to the 650S, 675LT, Asia-only 625C and their variants as the Super Sport Series. The moniker differentiates this family from the company's upcoming smaller models that are called simply the Sport Series. A SECOND GENEVA DEBUT AND A NEW NAME: THE McLAREN 675LT 28/01/15 LT model designation – standing for 'Longtail' – to join exisitng C and S range hierarchy LT to be the lightest, the quickest, and the purest version in the range Introduced by the 675LT which joins 650S and Asia-only 625C in the newly named McLaren Super Series Global premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2015 alongside the production-intent McLaren P1™ GTR Modern day interpretation of the McLaren F1 GTR 'Longtail'– the evolution of a true world-beater McLaren will look to its heritage when it revives the legendary 'Longtail' name given to one of the purest GT sportscars of all time, the McLaren F1 GTR 'Longtail', for the launch of the new McLaren 675LT at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. This road legal supercar will embody the 'Longtail' ethos with a focus on performance optimised aerodynamics, increased downforce, driver engagement, power and reduced weight.

McLaren celebrates 20 years of Mobil 1 with special livery for Australian GP

Sponsors come and sponsors go in Formula One, but they tend to stick around awhile at McLaren. The team ran under Marlboro title sponsorship for 22 years from 1974 to 1996, and Hugo Boss has been with the team for 33 years now since 1981. But it's the team's partnership with Mobil 1 which it will celebrate with the sinister livery pictured here. With Vodafone having left the team at the end of last season, McLaren is without a title sponsor for this season, and was expected to return to its heritage orange livery for this year's championship. But instead it's starting the season at the Australian Grand Prix with this silver and black livery to celebrate two decades of partnership with ExxonMobil. It may not be quite as sweet as the new Williams Martini Racing livery, but it is pretty slick. Whether it stands a chance of finishing on the podium this weekend, however, is another matter. While McLaren has won the Australian Grand Prix a dozen times – more than any other team – and Jenson Button is one of the winningest drivers in the history of the Aussie race, he and the team haven't been showing too well in pre-season testing. Mobil 1 and McLaren Celebrate 20-Year Partnership in Formula 1 As the 2014 Formula 1 season kicks off this weekend at the Australian Grand Prix, ExxonMobil and McLaren will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their technical and commercial relationship. In honor of the major milestone, the McLaren Formula 1 cars will feature a special livery in Australia that will include both Mobil 1™ and Mobil™ brands." "To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Mobil 1's relationship with McLaren, we are looking forward to showcasing a special branding scheme during the first race of the 2014 season," said Artis Brown, global motorsports manager, Mobil 1. "There is a lot of energy entering this race. Not only are we celebrating our 20th anniversary with McLaren, but we will be welcoming Kevin Magnussen to the team. When you combine these elements with the introduction of the new V-6 engine, this should be a very exciting weekend." Jonathan Neale, Chief Operating Officer and Acting CEO of McLaren Mercedes said, "We are privileged to have worked closely with ExxonMobil over a very successful 20 years and counting. During 332 races together we have achieved four world championships, 78 wins, 229 podium finishes and 76 pole positions, which is testament to our powerful technology partnership.