Berkshire-based McLaren specialist V Engineering has announced a replacement battery pack for the McLaren P1 that is 23kg lighter than the original – and boosts the car's electric range.
The P1 arrived in 2013 as one of three pioneering hybrid hypercars, alongside the Ferrari LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder. More than a decade on, some examples’ batteries are beginning to degrade, affecting their performance.
Although manufacturers offer their own upgraded replacement packs (McLaren’s own Gen II offering for the P1 is around 46kg lighter than the Gen I), a cottage industry is emerging in offering wider support for the cars.
V Engineering said its Project Continuum battery can store nearly three times as much energy as the original, having a capacity of 12.4kWh compared with 4.7kWh.
This extends the P1's electric range from its original six miles, although V Engineering has yet to confirm to what extent.
It instead highlighted more consistent track performance: the bigger battery means the P1 can deploy its electric motor more frequently and for longer bursts.
Indeed, V Engineering claimed the battery has been engineered to meet the requirements of Formula E – the premier electric racing series globally – and that it brings no penalty to the P1’s performance.
A price has yet to be confirmed but, given the P1’s rarity, is expected to be a significant sum. P1s themselves currently trade for several millions of pounds.
V Engineering said the first battery installations will begin next spring, forming part of a wider effort by the specialist to “futureproof” the P1.
