The company developed what it calls a race-inspired Instant Power Assist System (IPAS).  With the help of this IPAS system, the supercar will go from zero to 100 kph (62 mph) in less than 3 seconds, zero to 200 kph (124 mph) in under 7 seconds, and zero to 300 kph (186 mph) will be achieved in no more than 17 seconds.

McLaren said it has been engaging with potential customers actively in the last few months to get their views on the McLaren P1, about the car’s styling.  Their unanimous verdict on the styling was not to change the car presented last September in Paris.  So unusually, the McLaren P1 has translated to production form with very little change.  In fact just one, the addition of LTR ducts ahead of each of the front wheels to further aid cooling and optimize downforce.

McLaren has announced that it will limit production numbers to just 375 units.

As already announced, the McLaren P1 will have the combined force of two highly-efficient powerplants. A mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 internal combustion engine is combined to large turbochargers and a highly effective electric motor, to provide a combined output of 903 horsepower.

The tires installed on the McLaren P1 are specially developed Pirelli P Zero Corsas. The team at Pirelli has been involved throughout the entire development program.

To slow down a vehicle reaching such high velocity, McLaren engineered braking performance more associated with a GT3 or sports racing car. Developed by McLaren’s Formula 1 partner Akebono, the system features a new type of carbon ceramic disc, which has previously seen service in space, but never before used on a road car. Stronger than conventional carbon ceramic, the material dissipates heat more effectively, giving the highly efficient braking system exceptional stopping and cooling capability.

Being equipped with an electric motor, the caP1 can also be driven in pure electric mode.  In city driving, with an average speed of 30 mph, this could mean according to McLaren a range of up to 20 km (12.5 miles).

The post Hybrid McLaren P1 Performance Numbers Released appeared first on HybridCars.com.

In Volkswagen’s own words, the XL1 is the most fuel-efficient production car in the world, with a European combined fuel consumption rating of 261 mpg.

Powered by a diesel plug-in hybrid system, this two-seat vehicle can cover up to 32 miles all-electric mode.

While it looks like a concept car, the XL1 is actually a real production car. VW did not confirm exact production previsions, but did say production numbers will be low and that the two-seater will be initially only available in Europe.

The XL1 follows pure sports-car design principles: light weight (1953 pounds), very low aerodynamics drag (Cd 0.19), and a low center of gravity. Volkswagen said the XL1 has the ability to cruise down the road at a constant 62 mph while using just 8.3 horsepower.

In all-electric mode, the XL1 requires less than 0.1 kilowatt-hour to cover more than a kilometer.

The plug-in hybrid system consists of a 47 horsepower two-cylinder TDI engine, a 27 horsepower electric motor, a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission, and a lithium-ion battery.

With the 261 mpg fuel consumption figure, Volkswagen wants to show what is technically feasible in the automotive industry.

The XL1 also has a top speed of 99 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 12.7 seconds.

Conceptually, the XL1 represents the third evolutionary stage of Volkswagen’s 1-liter car strategy.

When the new millennium was ushered in, Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Piëch, currently Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG, formulated the visionary goal of putting into production a practical car that had combined fuel consumption of one liter per 100 kilometer (235 mpg). The XL1 is the vehicle that brings this vision to reality.

Volkswagen’s engineers and designers came up with a body design which delivers more everyday utility than the two previous prototypes. In the L1, the 1-liter car that was shown in 2002 and 2009, the driver and passenger sat in a tandem arrangement for optimal aerodynamics; in the XL1, the two occupants sit slightly offset, side by side, almost like a conventional vehicle.

Size-wise, the XL1 is 153.1 inches long, 65.6 in wide, and 45.4 in low. By comparison, a Volkswagen Polo is slightly longer (156.3 in) and wider (66.2 in), but is significantly taller at 57.6 inches. Even a sports car like today’s Porsche Boxster is 5.1 inches taller.

Volkswagen called the XL1 a car of the future, built for today.

Volkswagen

The post VW XL1 Diesel Hybrid Production Car To Reach 261 MPG appeared first on HybridCars.com.