The sight of a roofless McLaren P1 is a rarity, as only five such models exist. One such marvel was spotted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK in the last week of 2023.
The creation of these unique P1 Spiders is credited to Lanzante, a reputable British engineering and motorsports firm. This company has a history of accomplishments including having led the McLaren F1 GTR to victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. In recent times, they have shifted focus to road-car adaptations for racing cars, such as the McLaren’s P1 GTR.
The P1 Spider by Lanzante was first introduced at the previous year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. This year, the attendees got to witness the car in action as it conquered the renowned hill climb.
Unlike McLaren’s other supercars, the P1’s central carbon-fiber tub, known as the MonoCage, was not initially designed to accommodate a roofless configuration. The MonoCage’s functions are not just limited to enhancing stiffness; it also directs air into the engine via an incorporated roof snorkel and air intake ducts, allowing for weight reduction. This posed a significant challenge when converting the P1 into a roofless version.
To keep the performance unaffected, Paul Howse, a former P1 engineer, was assigned to supervise the P1 Spider project. The new design features buttresses that enclose air intakes to deliver air to the turbochargers. Additionally, the P1 Spider sports alterations to the front fenders, doors, and engine cover, coupled with a revamped lower chassis to maintain structural integrity in the absence of a roof.
Instead of a retractable roof, the P1 Spider is equipped with a manual removable roof panel. To safeguard the interior, Lanzante upgraded the upholstery to UV-resistant leather and SuperFabric, and added satin carbon-fiber trim and gloss-black switchgear.
The P1 Spider retains the original P1 powertrain, comprising a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-8 engine and an electric motor which together generate a remarkable 903 hp. Lanzante has not yet shared the performance data for the Spider, but the coupe variant, according to McLaren, can reach 62 mph in 2.8 seconds with a top speed of 217 mph.
Lanzante’s P1 Spider is just the latest of several P1 variants the company has released, including the P1 LM, P1 GT Longtail, and P1 GTR-18—all based on the P1 GTR.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about McLaren P1 Spider Lanzante
How many McLaren P1 Spiders exist and who created them?
Only five McLaren P1 Spiders exist. These unique roofless variants were created by Lanzante, a British motorsports and engineering company.
Where was the McLaren P1 Spider by Lanzante recently spotted?
The McLaren P1 Spider was recently spotted at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom.
Who was brought in to oversee the P1 Spider project by Lanzante?
Paul Howse, who had worked on the original P1, was brought in by Lanzante to oversee the P1 Spider project and ensure its performance was not compromised.
What is different about the P1 Spider compared to the original McLaren P1?
The P1 Spider, unlike the original P1, has a manually removable roof panel and no MonoCage, the roof system of the P1 that served several purposes including air intake and enhancing stiffness. The P1 Spider also features new air intake housing buttresses and alterations to the front fenders, doors, and engine cover. The lower chassis has also been reengineered to maintain structural integrity without a roof.
Does the McLaren P1 Spider by Lanzante have the same powertrain as the original McLaren P1?
Yes, the McLaren P1 Spider by Lanzante retains the original P1’s powertrain, which consists of a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-8 engine and an electric motor combining to produce 903 horsepower.
Has Lanzante released other P1 variants besides the Spider?
Yes, Lanzante has previously released several other P1 variants including the P1 LM, P1 GT Longtail, and P1 GTR-18, all based on the P1 GTR.
More about McLaren P1 Spider Lanzante
- Goodwood Festival of Speed
- McLaren’s official website
- Lanzante official website
- The McLaren P1 GTR
- History of the McLaren F1 GTR
- Paul Howse’s work on the P1
6 comments
paul howse is a legend. if anyone could pull this off it was him. Bet it’s a real monster on the road!
i mean, a P1 with no roof? Sounds crazy but i gotta see it to believe it. Goodwood attendees must’ve had a real treat!
Always been a fan of McLaren, but this is something else! A roofless P1 Spider, wow! Wish i was at Goodwood this year..
gotta say, I love the P1 but never imagined it roofless. Can’t wait to see this thing in action!
lanzante really did a job here, never thought I’d see a P1 without a roof. The engineering behind this must be mind-blowing!
so much respect for Lanzante, always pushing boundaries. The P1 Spider is just insane!