Million-dollar McLaren recalled; hood can fly open

January 12, 2016 | 10:15

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The US auto safety regulator announced on Monday a recall of McLaren's US$1.15 million P1 supercar, warning that its front hood can fly open while moving.

The US traffic safety agency NHTSA announced a recall of McLaren P1 cars, like this McLaren P1 GTR displayed at the Geneva Car Show on Mar 3, 2015, because the hood can open when the vehicle is moving. (AFP/Fabrice Coffrini)

WASHINGTON: The US auto safety regulator announced Monday a recall of McLaren's US$1.15 million P1 supercar, warning that its front hood can fly open while moving.

The recall by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration affects only a handful of car owners - only 375 P1s were produced between 2013 and 2015 - but cited a serious potential hazard for a car that can race to 400 kilometres per hour.

"The affected vehicles have a secondary hood latch that may not properly re-engage," the NHTSA said in the recall notice. "As a result, if the primary latch is released inadvertently, the hood may open while the vehicle is moving."

The P1 is a 903 horsepower hybrid electric-gas car with technology inspired by Formula 1 cars.

McLaren was founded as a racing team in 1963 by New Zealander Bruce McLaren who died in a 1970 crash after the back trunk of his racing prototype opened at high speed, destabilising the car.

AFP

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