McLaren P1 speeds to 124 mph as quick as a hot hatch hits 60

Rumors of the McLaren P1's speed have been circulating for months, despite no official word being given. Now, however, McLaren has unleashed a mountain of stats to lay its claim as the king of the hypercars, desperate to prove its superiority over Porsche's new Nurburgring record-holder and Ferrari's 963 hp one-named monster.

The P1 is not just fast — it's ballistic.

Using its 903 hp hybrid V-8, it powers to 62 mph in 2.8 seconds, continuing to 124 mph in 6.8 seconds and reaching 186 mph in 16.5 seconds. Quarter-mile time: 9.8 seconds at 152 mph. If you hit the Akebono carbon-ceramic brakes while traveling at 62 mph, you'll come to a dead stop in just 30.2 meters — although your heart and lungs may continue for a short while longer. And, with a little help from its electric motor, during normal driving, it delivers 34 mpg, EU combined.

Let's try to gain some perspective on what we're dealing with: 2.8 seconds to 62 mph is as equally insane as the Porsche 918, but short sprints like this are not that telling. Hitting 124 mph in 6.8 seconds, however, is faster than a Hyundai Veloster Turbo speeds to 60 mph, and it boasts similar fuel efficiency ratings. It's also considerably faster than the 918, which completes its dash in 7.9 seconds. 186 mph in 16.5 seconds is — wait for it — five whole seconds faster than the legendary McLaren F1, which was the fastest road car in the world for many years, topping out at 243 mph with the rev-limiter removed. The P1 is even comparable up to 124 mph with the current 0-200 mph record holder, the Hennessey Venom GT, although the Venom isn't in the same hemisphere when the road starts to twist.

And that's where P1 promises to shine: featuring a lightweight carbon-fiber chassis, adaptive aerodynamics debuting an F1-style drag reduction system, and KERS hybrid power. With the Porsche 918 setting a scorching record around the 12.8-mile 'Ring of 6 minutes 57 seconds, it will need every one of its many tricks.