Dorman 594-154 New Harmonic Balancer on 2040-parts.com

McLaren mysteries: Some things you might not know about the P1 and its maker

The McLaren P1 is one of the most spectacular supercars in the world, and it's been an object of fixation for enthusiasts since it debuted as a concept last fall in Paris. The basics are well known: a 903-hp hybrid powertrain, carbon-fiber for almost everything, and taut, curvaceous styling that introduces McLaren to a fresh generation. The P1 grew out of a somewhat hokey mission statement that McLaren produced back in 2009.

Peugeot HYbrid3 Evolution concept (2009) revealed

Peugeot’s car division has lagged miles behind rivals when it comes to hybrids – its first doesn’t go on sale until 2011. But it’s all different on the bike side of the company, which could be among the first to introduce a hybrid scooter. The three-wheel Hybrid3 Evolution has a supercharged 300cc petrol engine that sends 41bhp to the single rear wheel, and a pair of electric motors delivering a total of 8bhp to the twin front wheels.

Peugeot 2008 Crossover: UK price from £12,995

That meant the Urban Crossover Concept from Geneva in 2012 turning in to the new Peugeot 2008 at the start of 2013 – before heading to Geneva 2013 for its public debut – and with that other French car maker, Renault, going a similar route with the Clio-based Captur, it’s clear the French see the future of compact cars moving away from hatchbacks to something more rugged. But unlike the Captur – which was a bit of a disappointing looking Clio on stilts – the Peugeot 2008 does look a more convincing offering, even if it’s a more generic-looking compact SUV than the Nissan Juke and would, for our money, be the pick over the Captur. Peugeot are targeting 8,000 sales a year in the UK for the 2008, and with prices starting at £12,995 and heading up to around £19,000 it seems, if anything, a quite modest target, especially as Peugeot reckons 65 per cent of 2008 customers will be new to the brand.