We haven't heard a lot from McLaren about the new Mega-Mac the company has been working on to properly follow the first real hypercar, the McLaren F1. They've been too busy with trying to sell MP4-12Cs and keeping the ones they have sold out of the repair shop.
But now Autocar is reporting that McLaren is well into the development of the Big Mac (alphanumeric name unassigned) that will dethrone the Bugatti Veyron as the top hypercar. Top speed isn't the only goal of the new McLaren F1, though, McLaren is looking forward and hoping to beat the Porsche 918 Spyder and whatever Ferrari comes out with to replace the Enzo. With a planned production run of 500 (the original McLaren F1 sold 65 units + 5 LMs) and a cost of $1.5 million, it will at least be competitive in cost.
The next F1 will, likely, come with a 799 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 developed by McLaren and Ricardo hooked to a seven-speed Graziano dual-clutch gearbox powering only the rear wheels. Peak torque of 590 comes in between 3,500 and 6,800 rpm while peak power arrives at 7,500 rpm. Performance is estimated at 2.8 seconds to 60, 5.5 seconds to 100 and 200 mph will arrive in only 20 seconds.
Surrounding all of this engine will be a carbon fiber monocell related to that used for the MP4-12C. Styling is described as "bigger, angrier and more functional looking" than the MP4-12C.
(Autocar)
stovt001 says:
12:59 PM, 10/19/11
Well anyone worried about the future of performance cars can breathe a bit easier now. That sounds awesome.
church123 says:
05:04 PM, 10/19/11
Yeah, but it really makes me miss engines like the V12 in the original McLaren F1. Well over 600 hp from a sweet revving, muscular engine. I'd love to seem them do something similar but making around 700 hp (Lambo anyone?) in a 2500 lbs chassis.
Turbos are quite awesome, but McLaren has such a history here that it would be nice to tie back into it.
chochmastergen says:
12:06 PM, 10/20/11
I don't see a RWD car with only 800 HP being faster than the Veyron if that's what they meant by "beat."
Regardless if this is called the F1 it will be sold out well before they go to production no matter how they try and mess it up.