Composite Applications

McLaren P1 debuts at Paris Motor Show – pictures

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Reinforced Plastics
The McLaren P1 was designed from the outset to prioritise aerodynamic performance.
The McLaren P1 was designed from the outset to prioritise aerodynamic performance.
The P1 previewed at the Paris Motor Show is a design study. The company will reveal a production version next year, which it aims to put on sale within 12 months.
The P1 previewed at the Paris Motor Show is a design study. The company will reveal a production version next year, which it aims to put on sale within 12 months.
The car has a large adjustable ‘active’ rear wing which adjusts automatically to boost downforce and optimise aerodynamics.
The car has a large adjustable ‘active’ rear wing which adjusts automatically to boost downforce and optimise aerodynamics.
The large rear wing can extend rearwards by up to 300 mm on a racetrack, and by up to 120 mm on the road. The pitch of the rear wing can increase by up to 29°.
The large rear wing can extend rearwards by up to 300 mm on a racetrack, and by up to 120 mm on the road. The pitch of the rear wing can increase by up to 29°.
There are also very few body panels. This reduces weight and the number of shutlines, creating a cleaner appearance.
There are also very few body panels. This reduces weight and the number of shutlines, creating a cleaner appearance.

The McLaren P1 is a mid-engine design that uses a carbon fibre monocoque and roof structure safety cage concept called MonoCage, which is a development of the MonoCell used in the current 12C and 12C Spider.

All the body panels are carbon fibre composite to reduce weight.

There are also very few body panels. The McLaren P1 has large clamshell single-moulded front and rear panels, which are attached to the central carbon MonoCage, and that’s it, apart from two small access flaps in the rear, a front bonnet and the two doors. This reduces weight and the number of shutlines, creating a cleaner appearance.

The large carbon composite panels are also multi-functional, with integrated scoops and ducts to boost aero performance and cooling.

Here are some pictures of the new car.  

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