Global Automotive Technology :: A Complete B2B, Media Portal for Automotive Industry

Now that McLaren is back to building production supercars on the regular, it's certainly not sitting still. About 13 years passed between the end of the F1's run and this year's launch of the new MP4-12C, but according to Autocar, the McLaren Automotive team is already testing the spiritual successor to the legendary F1 in Spain and Germany, and hot-weather trials are planned for another location, possibly Bahrain. It's currently dubbed "mega-Mac," though it's slated for an alphanumeric name like the MP4-12C.

McLaren is gunning to outperform all comers, including the Pagani Huayra, Porsche 918 Spyder, the upcoming Ferrari Enzo successor -- even the Bugatti Veyron. Hypercar performance will come from a new 5.0-liter 799-horsepower V8 developed in conjunction with engine manufacturer Ricardo (as was the case with the MP4-12C's engine) mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox sending power to the rear wheels. According to Autocar's report, peak power comes at 7,500 rpm and peak torque -- 590 lb-ft of it -- is available between 3,500 rpm and 6,800 rpm.

As for sprint numbers, 60 mph is expected at 2.8 seconds, with zero-100 mph and zero-200 mph coming in at 5.5 and 20.0 seconds, respectively.

More details: carbon-fiber monococque (similar to the MP4-12C); standard Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes with brake-steer and brake-force functions; F1-style aluminum push-rod suspension with adaptive dampers, 5-stage traction control and hydraulic anti-roll control; plus onboard telematics and video camera, for your hot laps, naturally. As for the looks of the thing, styling cues will be taken from both the F1 and MP4-12C, though McLaren insiders say the overall effect will be "bigger, angrier and more functional-looking" than the MP4-12C. Active aerodynamics and a focus on all-around visibility are also part of the development.

The new F1 is expected to have a four-year production cycle at the McLaren Technology Center, with two to three cars built per week.

Comments

RSS

All rights reserved."