Production McLaren P1 unveiled at Geneva

The high-specification, high-performance supercar is seen as a successor to the British company's famous 'F1' supercar that first appeared in the 1990s.

First shown as a design study at last year's Paris Motor Show, the P1 presented at Geneva was presented in production spec, with listed features including performance specs for the 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 (900bhp, 0-100kph in under 3 seconds and limited top speed of 440kph approx.), as well as details on McLaren's DRS and 'IPAS' energy recovery system, the latter of which is a KERS-style system that uses engine braking to deliver "instant power."

Styling is far more rounded and sinous than the MP4-12C released last year, with the P1 looking more like a LeMans-ready prototype racer than a road car. Bodywise, the P1 shares most of its carbon-fibre tub with the MP4-12C, as well as the distinctive centre-exit exhaust, but not much else.

The P1's headlight design is a noticeable nod to the McLaren company logo, while the back end is dominated by the extreme curvature of the deep, fully-adjustable rear wing and blade-like tail lights, which hug the perimeter of the bodywork.

Even more limited than the LaFerrari, McLaren will build only 375 P1s, with a predicted price for each unit close to _900,000 (AU$1.3million approx.)

Notable features on the P1 include:

_ Aero-led design produces more downforce than any other production road car
_ 916PS (903 hp) generated by 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine coupled to an electric motor gives tremendous power and instant throttle response with an electronically limited top speed of 350 km/h (217 mph)
_ Active ride height, and aerodynamics work with large adjustable rear wing to give ground effect suction and optimised downforce
_ IPAS (Instant Power Assist System) and DRS (Drag Reduction System) offer instant boost of power and straight-line speed
_ The MonoCage is one of the lightest carbon fibre full-body structures used in any road car to date, weighing 90kg. This weight includes the roof and lower structures, roof snorkel, engine air intake cavity, battery and power electronics housing
_ MonoCage chassis includes fibres more than five times the strength of the best grade titanium, and includes the use of Kevlar
_ 0 to 300 km/h in less than 17 seconds - five seconds quicker than the legendary McLaren F1
_ To maintain exclusivity, production will be strictly limited to 375 units

Images: McLaren Automotive media