McLaren P1 Offered as Uber Ride in Manhattan for National Geographic Promotion
For four days in October 2015, Uber users in Manhattan could request a free ride in a McLaren P1 as part of a National Geographic campaign promoting its show Breakthrough.
Uber users in Manhattan were given an unusual opportunity in late October 2015, as a McLaren P1 hypercar joined the ride-hailing service for a four-day promotional campaign. The British hybrid supercar operated as an Uber from 27 to 30 October, offering free rides to passengers within Manhattan below 58th Street.
The campaign was organised to promote National Geographic’s new science series Breakthrough. Riders needed to enter the code “Breakthrough” in the Uber app for a chance to be picked up by the P1, though the car could not be specifically requested and availability was limited. Service hours ran from midday until 7pm each day during the promotion.
McLaren P1: Hybrid Hypercar on New York Streets
The McLaren P1, first revealed at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, is a rare sight even in supercar-friendly cities. Its hybrid powertrain combines a 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 and an electric motor for a combined 903hp and 978Nm of torque. The car accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 2.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 350km/h. With only 375 units produced globally, the P1 is seldom seen outside private collections or exclusive events.
For New York passengers accustomed to Ford Crown Victorias or Nissan NV200s, the P1 offered a stark contrast in both performance and exclusivity. The promotional rides were not only free but also placed one of the world’s most advanced hybrid supercars in the city’s daily traffic, if only briefly.
A Rare Marketing Stunt
The campaign was a short-term event, with no permanent addition of hypercars to Uber’s fleet. It followed a trend of using high-profile vehicles for brand promotions, but the P1’s appearance in Manhattan as a ride-hailing option was unusual even by those standards. For most, the chance to ride in a P1 remains a once-in-a-lifetime event.
