Poor Lewis Hamilton. He wanted to make a pit stop with his former team [Video]

For the last five years Lewis Hamilton raced for the McLaren team, but this year he signed a contract with Mercedes. Both teams use a similar color scheme, but that doesn't justify that you try to make your pit stop with your former team. Well, that is exactly what happened with Hamilton during the Malaysian Grand Prix.

In the video below we can see Hamilton driving to McLaren's pit box while the mechanics wave him through, while his girlfriend watched and laughed at that scene, soon realizing his mistake he drove the the right place.

In the end he finished third ahead of his team mate, Nico Rosberg. But that place was achieved thanks to the intervention from team boss Ross Brawn. After the race was finished Nico was recorded saying to Brawn, "Remember this one".

Even McLaren made fun fun of this situation by saying in twitter, "Feel free to pop in and say "hi" any time". Hamilton wasn't so happy, apologizing to his team and adding that he didn't understand how he could have done such an easy mistake and promising it wouldn't happen again.

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McLaren Automotive 12C Spider: Rhys Millen vs. Chanelle Sladics

McLAREN 12C SPIDER CHALLENGES SNOWBOARDER IN NEW SHORT FILM


To mark the start of deliveries of the 12C Spider in North America, McLaren Automotive has released a new short film. Shot at the notoriously treacherous Loveland Pass in Colorado, the 12C Spider navigates the tricky, snow-covered route “racing” against professional snowboarder Chanelle Sladics.

The 12C Spider is being driven in the video by Rhys Millen. The Native New Zealander is the current overall record holder for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, 2005 Formula Drift champion and 2008 Drifting World Champion. Rhys has appeared in over 500 commercials spanning 20 years and films including several appearances within the Fast and the Furious franchise, Indiana Jones and is currently working on a new film project soon to be released. “With a familiar back ground in Hill Climb competitions and a native New Zealander myself, on the eve of this 50 year celebration for McLaren it was an honour to have driven the 12C Spider up the twisty snowy mountain roads.”

Professional snowboarder Chanelle Sladics co-stars in the video, taking the 12C Spider to task as she takes the most direct route across the snow covered landscape. Sladics is an 8 time competitor at the winter X-Games and has hosted snowboarding competitions on ESPN.

At 11,990 feet (3,655 m) above sea level, Loveland is the highest mountain pass in the world that stays open during the winter months.

The video was produced and directed by J.F. Musial, Founder of Tangent Vector. Musial recently launched DRIVE, a YouTube channel focusing on creating original automotive content for the web.

The 12C Spider made its global debut in North America during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance last year. The second model from the British high performance sportscar company is lightweight with a high powered engine which boasts 616 bhp, a unique Retractable Hard Top (RHT) folding roof system, and a carbon ‘MonoCell’ chassis identical to that of the groundbreaking 12C. The 3.8-litre V8 twin turbo engine is transmitted to the car’s rear driven wheels through a seven-speed SSG dual-clutch transmission.

A dedicated ‘Winter’ powertrain setting on the 12C and 12C Spider sets all electronic support systems to a maximum intervention level, with gearshift strategy and torque control optimised to limit any loss of traction.

McLaren Automotive is represented by 10 dealerships throughout North America. There are nine dealers located in the United States: McLaren Greenwich, McLaren Philadelphia, McLaren Tampa, The Collection McLaren (Miami), McLaren Dallas, McLaren Chicago, McLaren Newport Beach, McLaren San Francisco, and McLaren Beverly Hills. McLaren Toronto represents McLaren Automotive in Canada. The 12C Spider has a base MSRP of $265,750 in the US (excluding titling, tags and taxes).

All specifications are as of above date and are subject to change without notice. Performance data based on testing facility results.

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GENEVA 2013: DMC McLAREN MP4 "VELOCITA"

(DUESSELDORF, 04.03.2013) It is part of DMC's core vision, to make good automobiles better. With the customized McLaren MP4 "VELOCITA", Luxury Tuner DMC had once again succeeded in delivery another such highlight, just in time for the Geneva Motor Show 2013.

While other tuners have already showcases their take on the British Supercar, German based prestige-refiner DMC decided that it's time to make the BEST, if first was not an option any longer. Looking a the car they launch here today, it becomes clear that this is the de-facto most aggressive McLaren MP4 we have yet seen from a tuner.

DMC's engineers created a styling and performance package that consists only of the finest and most exclusive materials: Light-weight Carbon Fiber on the body kit, Titanium on the exhaust system, and exclusive Italian Leather on the interior. This is super car tuning at it's finest.

As one of DMC's signature works, the complete body components were not just developed for the eye, but feature an explosion of aerodynamic engineering. While the car's original front bumper was said to look like a smiling face, the super car tuner has converted the MP4 into an aggressive looking biest.

The new front fascia includes a redesigned carbon fiber grill, and a new front lip splitter improves down-pressure on the front axle. The carbon fiber side flaps support road stability by supporting the pressure between the axles. The rear of the car features a carbon fiber rear diffuser that showcases a revised tunnel set-up by adding 2 fins. Lastly, the exhaust has been reengineered from ground up and is now made of pure Titanium. It's monster sound screams so loud that it's likely not legal in most countries, but frankly, we expected no less. Did we mention that its weight is reduced as well? Not important, that sound will take away all attention form these dry specs. The most fierce feature of the car however, may be the rear wing. Together with the rest of the kit, it creates an aura of perfection, that you have to see live in order to understand it. It features a ground braking new surface design, which not only brakes the wind, but also continues to support on the aerodynamics.

The wheel package features a set of diamond forged alloy rims of DMC's Gold Line. These extremely light alloys are 9,5 x 21 at the front, using 255/30 ZR21 pneus, and 12.5 x 21 at the rear, using 355/25 ZR21 tyres.

The interior will be designed according to each client's individual wish, to make each car unique. There are no limites when it comes to customizing the driver cabin with Carbon, Wood, Leather or Alcantara - DMC is fullfillinf all requirements from its exclusive clients world wide.

Costs: Body Kit USD 24.995 , Wheel Package USD 12.995, Interior Make-Over USD 16.495 and Titanium Exhaust System USD 5.495. Get it all for USD 59.980 (ex VAT).

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[Updated] 2013 McLaren P1 - Are these the official pictures? - They are!

Six new pictures of the McLaren P1 have showed up in a Russian website and are claimed to be the official images of the production version of the British supercar. While i cannot confirm this for now, the latest spy pictures of the P1 were from an yellow test mule.

So if this is really the production version of the P1 we already known almost everything about the car, since the drivetrain was revealed five days ago. For those who didn't read it here, it has a mid-mounted 3.8 liter twin-turbo V8 petrol engine (M838T) working together with an electric motor for a combined output power of 916PS (903bhp) and a maximum torque figure of 900Nm (664lb/ft).

The petrol engine produces 737PS (727bhp) at 7500rpm, and 720Nm of torque from 4000rpm, while the electric engine delivers 179PS (176 bhp) with 260Nm of torque being available from a standstill. They are both connected to a single dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox driving the rear wheels.

Update: Meanwhile McLaren revealed the following.

Zero to 100km/h will take less than 3 seconds, zero to 200 km/h under 7 seconds, and zero to 300 km/h will be achieved in no more than 17 seconds.  Putting that into perspective, that’s 5 seconds faster than the legendary McLaren F1 road car.  Top speed is electronically limited to 350 km/h.

McLaren has also announced that the car will cost from £866,000 on the road with a specification that fully equips the car for both road and track use.

There you have it, everything you need to know about the P1!

Source: autowp

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Yellow McLaren P1 | WG + PR

McLaren Automotive has released the final numbers, images and information relating to its phenomenal McLaren P1™ ahead of a global reveal in just a few days at the 83rd International Geneva Motor Show.

The race-inspired Instant Power Assist System (IPAS) gives the McLaren P1™ astonishing performance. Zero to 100km/h will take less than 3 seconds, zero to 200 km/h under 7 seconds, and zero to 300 km/h will be achieved in no more than 17 seconds. Putting that into perspective, that’s 5 seconds faster than the legendary McLaren F1 road car. Top speed is electronically limited to 350 km/h.

McLaren 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 optimise downforce.

McLaren has closely monitored demand so as to maintain exclusivity, and announced a production number of just 375 units – a figure that will ensure the McLaren P1™ will remain a rarity and, if spotted on the road, an unforgettable sight.

McLaren has also announced that the car will cost from £866,000 on the road with a specification that fully equips the car for both road and track use. The company prides itself on designing performance cars that their owners can use regularly so the McLaren P1™ comes comprehensively equipped as standard with an array of colour and trim alternatives from which the customer will be able to choose as well as visible carbon fibre in the cabin. The options list is limited to only bespoke content that a customer might wish to add through McLaren Special Operations, and fitted luggage.

As already announced, the McLaren P1™ will have the combined force of two highly-efficient powerplants, offering the optimum mix of superb throttle response, day-to-day drivability and top speed. A mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine is substantially enhanced featuring, for example, larger turbochargers and a highly effective electric motor, to give a combined output of 916PS (903 bhp) and a maximum torque figure of 900Nm. This ensures instantaneous throttle response through the rev range, more akin to a naturally aspirated engine. Emissions of less than 200g/km on the combined cycle are reduced to zero in full electric drive mode, while the Formula 1-derived DRS and IPAS technologies offer an increase in straight-line speed and an instant boost of power.

The tyres fitted to the McLaren P1™ are specially developed P Zero Corsas, which have been developed with McLaren’s technology partner, Pirelli. The team at Pirelli has been involved throughout the entire development programme, and this has seen the tyre testing phase integrated into the schedule, as a key performance component. The final compound and construction has been developed and optimised during testing, and the end result is a tyre that is finely tuned specifically to the performance and handling characteristics.

To rein in the power produced by the twin powerplants, the McLaren P1™ is designed to offer 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. The system also boasts significantly reduced weight, and a bespoke ceramic layer coats both friction surfaces to give an attractive mirrored finish.

One surprising feature is that the car can also be driven solely in electric mode. In city driving, with an average speed of 30 mph, this could mean up to a 20km range. More than enough for an owner to enter, for example, a city centre Zero Emissions Zone, have dinner and return home.

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McLaren reveals the P1 powertrain. Hybrid V8. Over 900hp

The only thing left to know about the upcoming supercar from the British company, McLaren, was the engine and respective performance figures, and today that information was revealed along with some explanations on the operation of the hybrid engine.

The mid-mounted 3.8 liter twin-turbo V8 petrol engine works in conjunction with an electric motor for a combined output power of 916PS (903bhp) and a maximum torque figure of 900Nm (664lb/ft). The petrol engine is the familiar M838T unit that alone produces 737PS (727bhp) at 7500rpm, and 720Nm of torque from 4000rpm, meaning the electric engine is responsible for 179PS (176 bhp) with 260Nm of torque being available from a standstill.

The electric motor is directly connected to the petrol engine and they are mated to a dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox that drives the rear wheels.

The CO2 emissions are under 200g/km and will be zero when only the electric engine is working. The P1 utilizes technology taken from the Formula 1 like the IPAS (Instant Power Assist System) and DRS (Drag Reduction System) offering an instant boost of power and raising the straight-line speed.

The battery weighs 96kg but it will be completely discharged after only 10km. McLaren says that is enough "for most city journeys", but i disagree. Don't miss the presentation at the Geneva Motor Show! See more of the car here and here.

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BigMac has 916HP

The McLaren P1™ will have the combined force of two highly-efficient powerplants, offering the optimum mix of superb throttle response, day-to-day drivability and top speed. A mid-mounted 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine and a highly effective electric motor give a combined output of 916PS (903 bhp) and a maximum torque figure of 900Nm, ensuring instantaneous throttle response through the rev range, more akin to a naturally aspirated engine. Emissions of less than 200g/km on the combined cycle are reduced to zero in full electric drive mode, while the Formula 1-derived DRS and IPAS technologies offer an increase in straight-line speed and an instant boost of power.

The 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine in the McLaren P1™ is a new version of the familiar M838T unit, that has been significantly upgraded to optimise cooling and durability under the higher loads. The engine block has a unique casting to incorporate the electric motor. The petrol engine produces 737PS (727 bhp) at 7,500rpm, and 720Nm of torque from 4,000rpm. To optimise efficiency of the petrol engine, extensive testing and development work has always been carried out with McLaren Automotive technology partner Mobil 1 on lubrication and hydraulic fluids.

The lightweight electric motor, developed by the McLaren Electronics arm of the Group, produces 179PS (176 bhp), and is unique to the McLaren P1™. The motor produces maximum torque of 260Nm instantly from a standstill, greatly increasing the throttle response of the McLaren P1™, and peak combined torque of 900Nm is delivered from just 4,000 rpm. In addition to this, the McLaren-developed ‘boost’ system, IPAS, provides up to 179PS instantly. The instant response of the electric motor provides a sharper throttle response more associated with a normally aspirated engine, and the significantly enhanced air-charging system enables the McLaren P1™ to have more top-end power – the perfect combination for high performance.

The electric motor is mounted directly onto the engine, and all drive is channelled through the dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox to drive the rear wheels. Thus, the electric motor and 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine work seamlessly together, providing more than just added ultimate power and torque.

A further benefit is that the e-motor can provide faster upshifts. This is achieved through the application of instant negative torque at the point of shift, making the engine revs drop as quickly and efficiently as possible to the required engine speed for the upshift.

In addition to the obsessive weight-saving measures demonstrated throughout the McLaren P1™, so too is the optimisation of usable energy. When off-throttle the electric motor provides additional drag torque, recovering energy to the battery that would otherwise be lost to the brakes.

E-mode

The McLaren P1™can be driven in a variety of modes, powered by the engine and electric motor together, or solely by the electric motor. This ensures versatility and ease of transportation, allows use in low emission zones and residential driving is optimised with near-silent running.

Maximum power comes when using both powerplants together, but even in E-mode the performance is strong. E-mode is the most economical mode available with zero tailpipe emissions. In E-mode, the McLaren P1™ can travel more than 10km with electric-only power – enough for most city journeys. When the battery is empty, the petrol engine will automatically start to maintain drive and charge the battery.

IPAS and DRS optimise performance and throttle response

The power available via the petrol engine and electric motor is further enhanced on the McLaren P1™ through two steering wheel-mounted buttons which activate the DRS (Drag Reduction System) and IPAS (Instant Power Assist System).

The Drag Reduction System used on the McLaren P1™ is a technology similar to that employed on Formula 1 cars.  Speed is increased by reducing the amount of drag on the rear wing and, where the MP4-28 has a moveable flap on the rear wing, the McLaren P1™ has a wing that reduces in angle to lower drag by 23%. The system immediately deactivates when the button is released, or if the driver touches the brake pedal.

IPAS is designed to deliver power rapidly for high performance acceleration, and provides 179PS of instant additional power. In developing the IPAS technology for the McLaren P1™, power delivery was prioritised over energy storage. This is achieved through a groundbreaking, lightweight battery pack, which offers greater power density than any other automotive battery pack on sale today.

Battery

The high power density has been achieved through a combination of high power cells, low pack weight and an innovative cooling system. The battery weighs just 96kg, and is mounted onto the underbody of the high-strength Formula 1-grade carbon fibre MonoCage chassis, which seals the unit in the vehicle, thus avoiding the added weight of any unnecessary battery packaging.

Due to the amount of power being supplied by the battery, complex cooling is required to guarantee cell performance and reliability. The coolant flow is balanced so each cell is cooled to the same temperature across the entire pack.

In addition to the battery being charged via the engine, the McLaren P1™ is also equipped with a plug-in charger which can recharge the battery, from empty, in only two hours. The plug-in charger can be stored in the luggage compartment, although the customer may choose to store it off-board – in a garage or the pits – to save weight.

Further details of the McLaren P1™ will be released in the coming weeks, before the production-ready car makes its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

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McLaren reveals more images ahead of its arrival in the United Arab Emirates

The Mclaren P1 is one of the most awaited cars of this year and slowly the British company reveals more and more pictures. These were taken at the Bahrain International Circuit ahead of its arrival in the United Arab Emirates this week for a private event as part of their Middle East tour.

McLaren Automotive Regional Director for the Middle East & Africa, Mark Harrison said the following: “After a successful launch in Bahrain, we are very excited to be bringing the McLaren P1™ to the United Arab Emirates, where our retail partner, Al Habtoor Motors, has confirmed huge interest in this unique car. This year marks our 50th year anniversary, so it is apt that we are gearing up to launch a car that we feel will redefine the parameters for performance, on both circuit and road. This is why we have released these unique and stunning images, taken at the BIC, a location absolutely fitting for this supercar. ”

Enjoy!

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