Million-dollar McLaren recalled; hood can fly open

(FILES) In this March 3, 2015 file photo, the new McLaren P1 GTR is displayed at the booth of the British carmaker during the press day of the Geneva Car Show in Geneva. The US traffic safety agency NHTSA announced January 11, 2016 a recall operation on McLaren P1 cars, because the hood can be opened when the vehicle is moving. “If the hood is opened when driving, the risk of accident increases” the NHTSA said in a statement. The McLaren P1 is capable of reaching a speed of almost 400 km / hour. There were only 375 P1’s produced worldwide from 2013 to 2015. The car is a hybrid (gas / electric) whose technology is inspired by Formula 1. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI / AFP / FABRICE COFFRINI

The US auto safety regulator announced Monday a recall of McLaren’s $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 kilometers per hour (250 miles 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, destabilizing the car.