McLaren’s P1 hypercar is known for its stunning performance and cutting-edge technology. However, one thing McLaren never built was a roofless version of the P1. Despite this, five roofless P1s exist, and one of them was showcased during the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom.
These unique roofless P1 hypercars, known as the P1 Spider, were not created by McLaren themselves. Instead, they were the brainchild of Lanzante, a renowned British motorsports and engineering company. Lanzante has a rich history with McLaren, having fielded the iconic McLaren F1 GTR that emerged victorious in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. In recent years, Lanzante has been converting track cars into road-legal vehicles, including McLaren’s P1 GTR.
The P1 Spider was formally introduced to the world at the previous year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. This year, it was showcased in action, demonstrating its capabilities during the famous hill climb event. One of the challenges Lanzante faced in creating the P1 Spider was adapting the original P1’s carbon-fiber central tub, also known as the MonoCage, for a roofless application. Unlike McLaren’s other supercars that utilize the MonoCell design, the MonoCage was not initially designed for a roofless configuration. The MonoCage not only enhances the car’s stiffness but also incorporates air intake ducts and a roof snorkel that guide air into the engine, reducing weight. Transforming the P1 into a roofless car required careful engineering and design ingenuity.
To ensure that the removal of the roof did not compromise the performance of the P1 Spider, Lanzante enlisted the expertise of Paul Howse, who had previously worked on the original P1 project. Howse oversaw the P1 Spider project and made several modifications to maintain the car’s optimal performance. The P1 Spider features new buttresses that house air intakes, directing air towards the turbochargers. Additionally, the front fenders, doors, and engine cover underwent tweaks, and the lower chassis was reengineered to maintain structural rigidity without the roof.
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In terms of its roof design, the P1 Spider features a manual removable roof panel instead of a retractable roof. Lanzante took measures to protect the car’s interior, reupholstering everything in UV-resistant leather and SuperFabric. The cabin boasts a luxurious aesthetic, with satin carbon-fiber trim and gloss-black switchgear.
The powertrain of the P1 Spider remains unchanged from the standard P1 model. It combines a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 engine with an electric motor, generating an impressive total output of 903 horsepower. While Lanzante has not revealed specific performance figures for the Spider, the coupe variant was capable of reaching 0-62 mph in just 2.8 seconds and achieving a top speed of 217 mph.
The P1 Spider is the latest addition to Lanzante’s lineup of P1 derivatives. The company has previously introduced other remarkable variants, including the P1 LM, P1 GT Longtail, and P1 GTR-18. These models, based on the P1 GTR, showcase Lanzante’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering and design.
In conclusion, the P1 Spider is a remarkable and rare roofless variant of McLaren’s P1 hypercar. Created by Lanzante, this unique vehicle demonstrates the company’s expertise in modifying and enhancing high-performance vehicles. With its striking design, impressive performance, and meticulous attention to detail, the P1 Spider is a true testament to the passion and innovation that drives both McLaren and Lanzante.
