Rumor: The McLaren P18 is a 1,000-HP superhybrid

McLaren has previewed a mysterious supercar so far known only as the P18 to its V.I.P. customers. Heralded as the successor to the legendary P1 (in the gallery below), it may get a part-electric powertrain rated at over 1,000 horsepower (750 kilowatts).

The corresponding statement comes from AutoEvolution citing an anonymous report of one of the customers. Allegedly, McLaren plans to produce 399 such cars based on a high-end turbocharged V8 built by Ricardo.

It might also become the company’s first street-legal AWD car. AutoEvolution believes the P18 could get as many as three electric motors, like some of the more recent Ferrari hybrids.

The publication points out that the attendees of the preview event did not see the car in metal – rather, McLaren showed them a scale replica of it. Even so, the customer who spoke with the reporters said he was excited enough to preorder one.