New McLaren P15 to ditch hybrid engine

The 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 will be tuned to produce 800hp; production limited to 500 units.

Published On Jul 27, 2017 08:07:00 AM

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McLaren has planned to introduce a new car to its Ultimate Series, codenamed the P15, before the end of the year, according to our sister publication, Autocar UK.

It is expected to be faster than any production McLaren to date, barring the extreme, track-focused P1 GTR. The 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, found in every McLaren car, will be tuned to produce 800hp of power. The same motor produces 737hp in the P1, though it is augmented by an electric powertrain to make a total of 915hp.

The new Monocage II one-piece carbon-fibre tub used on the 720S, along with the lack of the heavy hybrid powertrain, means the P15 will weigh less than 1,300kg compared to the P1’s 1,547kg kerb weight. This will help the P15 eclipse the P1’s performance.

While the P15 will be a track-day tool like the P1, it will better the 720S’ quarter-mile time of 10.4sec and challenge the P1’s 10.2sec time. It also could, potentially, match the P1’s 0-100kph time of 2.7sec and approach the P1 GTR’s 2.5sec. Active aero and extensive use of carbon fibre will play its part in making the P15 faster around a circuit.

With a limited production run of 500 units, the P15 (which will be named differently at launch) is not expected to spawn a convertible or a special-edition model.