How Many McLaren P1s Were Made?

The look on Jay Leno’s face said it all. 

Comedian and “super-car” devotee Jay Leno watched as McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt unveiled the latest addition to Jay’s Garage, the McLaren P1, one of only 375 made and the first to make it to the U.S. Sharp and sleek, the yellow/black speedster was unveiled. In this installment of the popular YouTube series, Leno and Flewitt marvel at this automotive unicorn that combines precision high-tech engineering and good old-fashioned road-racing grit. 

Leno points out the racy width of the rear tires, the exquisite precision of its steering, and even the Batman-like blue flames shooting from the rear exhaust. The McLaren P1 also comes with five modes: Sport, Track, Race, Electric, and normal, allowing the driver to control fuel consumption as well as speed. You can conserve fuel when in traffic by shifting to Electric, and switch back to gas when it’s time to hit the accelerator and let it rip.

McLaren P1: A Work of Art Born to Run

It’s easy to see why any racing car enthusiast would want the McLaren P1 in their garage. Designed to be as aerodynamic as possible, it’s a powerhouse with massive torque and seamless acceleration housed in a lithe sports car with race active chassis control. It’s a work of art that’s born to run.

Nevertheless, Flett made it clear that the McLaren P1 is a road car that’s also a race car. Its engineers didn’t want to produce a vehicle that would gather dust in a garage or museum, part of a “don’t touch” collection of super cars. From the day it hit the drawing board, the McLaren P1 was meant to be driven and enjoyed by people who can appreciate its exquisite design, not a “work of art that never gets used,” Flett said. Indeed, Leno notes that he’d put over 800 miles on his new McLaren P1 within a week of delivery.

McLaren engineers tabbed the IPAS electrical system, one of the world’s most powerful hybrid powertrains, for the P1. The fact that it utilizes hybrid technology isn’t just for the environment, but for drivers who don’t want a dream car that’s unsustainable because it’s a gas guzzler. Shifting effortlessly between modes not only enhances the physical driving experience but helps keep you on the road, not constantly stopping at the pump for yet another fill-up.

McLaren P1 Price

The combination of power, technology, and meticulous aerodynamic design enables the McLaren P1 to maximize downforce and reduce drag. Flett, who has since left the company, said the McLaren P1 is the product of a company of car “enthusiasts” who build the best sports cars in the world. Now available in the U.S.,the McLaren P1 price was $1,150,000 when introduced to U.S. dealers.