Right before the opening of the Geneva Motor Show this week, McLaren announced the debut of its new supercar, the 903-horsepower P1, a plug-in hybrid that will sell for $1.15 million to the 375 people lucky enough to snag one.
Not to be outdone, Ferrari unveiled its newest model, the limited-production hybrid LaFerrari, with a breathtaking 949 horsepower, 664 pound-feet of torque and a zero-to-60 time less than three seconds; its top speed is 217 miles per hour. The P1 sports almost identical performance numbers.
The seating structure of LaFerrari is built right onto the composite chassis, whose materials include carbon fiber and Kevlar. Instead of adjusting to achieve optimum driving position, the pedals and steering wheel come to you. The battery is also mounted to the chassis, and is charged through regenerative braking and by using the excess engine torque.
The P1’s batteries are charged by the electric motor while driving, or can be charged by plugging in the car. It can travel on electric power only, for up to 12 miles at 30 miles per hour. But with all that power, few of the lucky owners can be expected to exhibit that much restraint.
While pricing for LaFerrari has not been announced, you can expect it to be in the same ballpark as the P1.
