McLaren completes final P1

AFTER nearly three years and 300,000 build hours, the final McLaren P1 has rolled off the United Kingdom production line, bringing to a close an era that created the company's fastest and most powerful road car to date.

The British supercar-builder confirmed that the 375th P1 has been completed at its production centre in Woking England, concluding the full run of hyper hybrids, which sold out in 2013 before the first example had been delivered.

Dressed up in vivid Volcano pearlescent orange, the final car harks back to the even more exclusive F1, which also finished up in a vibrant orange hue for the limited run of just five F1 LMs plus one prototype.

In addition to its lurid paint job, the P1 has more paint coverage than most before it and only exposes its raw carbon-fibre construction on the splitter, diffuser and aerodynamic blades along the lower body, while its 20-inch wheels are finished in silver.

On the inside, the interior is decorated with gloss black trims for the switches, instrument bezels and airvents, while the two carbon-fibre bucket seats are upholstered in black and orange Alcantara to match the steering wheel.

McLaren has not revealed who has purchased the historic vehicle or if it will keep number 375 for itself, as it did with the final McLaren F1. The ultra-rare F1 now takes pride of place among other significant vehicles on the company's esteemed Boulevard.

Like all of the 374 P1s before it, the final vehicle has almost unrivalled performance thanks to its 3.8-litre turbocharged V8, combined with an electric powertrain for a combined total of 673kW and 900Nm – enough to get the 1450kg car to 100km/h from zero in just 2.8 seconds.

The P1 was not made available for Australian customers, but well-heeled local fans of the iconic British brand might just get in on another historic model if they are quick, with the convertible version of the exclusive 675LT now on sale.

Just 500 examples of the 675LT Spider will be available worldwide, and while McLaren was unable to confirm how many would be coming Down Under or at what cost, it is almost certain the car will command a higher price than the $616,250 fixed-top version.

Its hard-top cousin was also limited to 500 units globally with just 15 coming Down Under, but the entire haul was sold to loyal McLaren customers before the model had been officially announced, and it is likely the Spider will go the same way.

Like the coupe, the Spider uses the McLaren 650S Spider as its basis but chops 100kg from the less potent version, squeezes another 19kW from its 3.8-litre turbocharged V8 and adds a more aerodynamic body.

The result is a convertible with zero to 100km/h acceleration of just 2.9 seconds, 0-200km/h in 8.1 seconds and a blustery top speed of 326km/h.

Its three-piece folding hard-top can be operated at speeds of up to 30km/h for “a new level of open-air exhilaration,” without compromising on driving dynamics thanks to its ultra-stiff carbon-fibre monocoque construction.

A unique 20-spoke wheel design measure 19-inches at the front end and 20-inches at the rear, while a special Solis paint tone sets the Spider apart from its coupe sister, in addition to the cabriolet roof.

McLaren says its newest model is its “most focused, fastest and exhilarating open top model to ever wear a McLaren badge”.

The 675LT – or Longtail – Spider joins the Super Series alongside the 675LT Coupe, 650S and 650S Spider, while the Ultimate Series is now unoccupied with the end of P1 production. McLaren is yet to announce an heir to the flagship series throne.