McLaren F1 successor details emerge

By George Skentzos | October 23rd, 2008

Over a decade ago, the original McLaren F1 reigned as the fastest and most expensive supercar of its time, still holding the title as the fastest naturally-aspirated car in the world.

Now McLaren is back, currently developing a slightly more subdued successor to the iconic supercar, priced to compete against the likes of the Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo.

Despite its recent collaboration with Mercedes-Benz on the SLR Roadster, the new model will be designed and built completely in-house by engineers at the Formula One team’s factory in Woking, UK.

Codenamed the P11, it will draw inspiration from its Formula 1 siblings, expected to be constructed around a lightweight carbon-fibre chassis which should keep the new car under around 1,250kg.

Reflecting its current ties with Mercedes and its role as an F1 engine supplier, the P11 will naturally be powered by a Mercedes-sourced mid-mounted 6.2-litre V8 engine mated to a semi-automatic transmission as has become the norm for supercars of late.

Unlike the original McLaren F1 which is powered by a naturally-aspirated BMW-sourced unit, its successor is speculated to produce at least 370kW through the use of forced induction.

Coupled with its low kerb weight, benchmark acceleration from 0 to 100km/h is expected to be less than four seconds with a top speed of 200mph.

The interior will be very modern and well equipped, certainly not as sparse the cockpit of Hamilton’s F1 racer from which it will derive its inspiration.

The unique centre driving position will also be lost in favour of a more contemporary layout.

While only 64 of the original McLaren F1′s ever made, its successor will certainly be a lot more accessible with production volume slated to extend into four figures.

Source: AutoExpress

billy_bob_119

Looks like McLaren also stole copies off Ferrari.
Looks similar at the front of a F430. and the side looks like a Audi R8 but the back look like McLaren designed itself so hats off to that.
http://www.fmgjbv.au rich boy

Exhaust pipes near rear lights like Pagani looks like a Ferrari F430 it copies other super cars.
http://www.caradvice.com.au George

The images are renderings based on existing spy shots.
Devil666

the front? well, an F430 had an orgy with a Mazda 6, a Carrera GT, and then a Lotus jumped in right at the end to give influence to the posterior. I call it, the F6GT-Exige!
Camski

IS-F wheels anyone? =P

But if this is anything like the original, this could be interestingly good.
Alan

This is not official picture though is it? Just a computer image from autoexpress
WVB

An M-F1 is a hard to beat gob smacker but it does look yummy even as said, a bit F430-ish.
Is it a another Gordon Murray?
KC

I sure hope that’s not official, that’s the blandest car I’ve ever seen
FRUGAL_ONE

In the eyes of the law, its still a “kit car”

Can ONLY be considered a genuine blue-blood when it has its own engine.

Not that hard really, TVR did its own donk…..

Cheers

F-0
The Original Tom

Centre driving position is ditched in favour of a more “contemporary” design?

That’s a damn shame. Lose whatever differentiator there was.

On a side note, what is so contemporary about side-by-side seating? That configuration has been around since the dawn of time. I would say “more common”, or “boring” if you will
Al Juraj

Too bad it’s no longer a BMW engine.
Fasthonda

Looks like every other super car