Hennessey Performance Engineering has just sent out a release stating that they have a concept for an 800 horsepower McLaren MP4-12C. The concept kit will "include upgrades to the powertrain designed to reliably increase power," and "add a more aggressive aero package to the vehicle in order to increase downforce."
Because if there are any areas where McLaren needs help, it's aero and power. Hennessey does admit that they won't be able to help with suspension or brakes as the factory setup will be "hard to beat."
In a statement John Hennessey said "I spent a lot of time around the new 12C at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed and was very impressed. We're excited to have the opportunity to take a great car and give it our own special performance touch while giving 12C owners a uniquely aggressive appearance."
Right, now all Hennessey havs to do is find someone willing to hand over their 12C and hope the upgraded intercoolers, turbos, titanium exhaust, wastegates, engine management and transmission clutch system work as advertised.
duck87 says:
07:55 AM, 02/ 1/12
If Hennessey's sketchy past history is any indication, that "willing someone" won't be seeing their MP4 for quite a while, if ever again.
cjasis says:
08:07 AM, 02/ 1/12
I feel disrespectful in asking this again but honestly... why does IL contniue to give Hennessey free press and not at least acknowledge or address the myriad of questions/issues that exist about him, his company and his products?
BTW - you'd have to be a certified moron or have way more money than brains to sign up for this.
stoppre75 says:
08:55 AM, 02/ 1/12
This is so ridiculous. No one is going to hand over their MP4-12C to Hennessey for more power. Vipers and Corvettes are not McLaren's. These are the best automotive engineers in the world, you don't give a car developed by them to a back-woods Texan for more power.
Duck and CJASIS have the same two comments every time you guys write about Hennessey; but seriously who over there has a raging hard-on for him? It seems like every time they announce anything, IL can't type up a blog post fast enough.
kain77 says:
09:42 AM, 02/ 1/12
Those are the reasons I haven't bought a MP4-12C yet: not enough power or downforce. Thanks, Hennessey.
e90_m3 says:
10:19 AM, 02/ 1/12
Sending an MP4-12C to Hennessey is like sending a 25-year-old Jill Hennessey for plastic surgery--why mess with perfection?
"BTW - you'd have to be a certified moron or have way more money than brains to sign up for this."
Unfortunately, as the Lambo guy in Seattle proved a few days ago, such people come in abundance.
bimmerjay says:
12:04 PM, 02/ 1/12
I can't imagine why anyone would want to ruin their MP4-12C by giving it to a hack like Hennessey.
hubblehornz66 says:
03:49 PM, 02/ 1/12
This is your chance for those who have the money!!!!....and im not kidding!
bk1715 says:
01:53 AM, 02/ 2/12
e90_m3 says:
"... Lambo guy in Seattle proved a few days ago, such people come in abundance."
How/what's that???
miamifan1 says:
04:19 AM, 02/ 2/12
i think we can all agree that turning up the boost on a already-turbo-equipped car is an engineering feat to be reckoned with.
really, wow.
sniperruff says:
07:10 AM, 02/ 2/12
@bk1715:
http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2012/01/lamborghini-catches-fire-at-portland-auto-show.html
I agree with the others. It's a different story when a production car is intentionally designed with slacker tolerances (VW GTI comes to mind) that can churn out more power in return for some compromises, and a supercar that has been tweaked to hell and forth for a faster lap around the Nurburgring.
Not personally biased against Hennessey, but I'm just skeptical against any company that promises an insane amount of power without considering whether such power can be even utilized.