McLaren is working on the spiritual successor to the legendary F1 ‒ the McLaren P12. According to Car Magazine, this highly anticipated hypercar will be unveiled in less than a year.
Designed by McLaren’s chief designer Frank Stephenson, the British sports car will have dramatic styling. Car Magazine quotes an insider, who reportedly said the McLaren P12 looks “like something out of iRobot.”
One of the unique features of the McLaren F1 was the central driving position of the driver in the F1 ‒ in the middle with the passenger seat on each side. McLaren has experimented with this set-up for the P12, but this messed up the dimensions of the F1 successor. Therefore the British manufacturer preferred a two-seat cabin which will feature a double-bubble roof and a canopy-like greenhouse.
The powertrain of the McLaren P12 will be borrowed from the MP4-12C. The output of the 3.8 liter twin-turbo V8 will be upgraded to as much as 800 horsepower. Also interesting is the fact this engine will be coupled with a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) system, inspired by McLaren’s experience in Formula 1 racing.
The concept version of the McLaren P12 will make its debut somewhere in 2012. The production is likely to start in 2014 and will be limited to 500 cars, with an exclusive price tag of $ 1.56 million.
Beware, Weird designs like huayra, doesn’t work. The kers move seems similar to the Ferraris F70.