Not content to continually unleash faster, lighter, or more extreme versions of their current lineup on an unsuspecting public, McLaren is now planning on building an homage to their legendary F1 supercar. The car is set to include iconic features of the original like the three-seat layout, central opening doors, and roof-mounted air intake, but it is not intended to be an all-out performance car.
That's not to say that the new F1 will be slow, but rather than steal the P1's position as the most super-sports McLaren the new F1 will be an ultra-powerful grand tourer. The goal of a GT car is rapid cross-continent travel, and Autocar reports a McLaren insider as saying that the new F1 will accomplish this goal and be "the most exquisitely crafted and luxurious road-going McLaren yet made."
Reports indicate that the car will get the 3.8L twin turbo V8 that powers the McLaren lineup, in this case delivering over 700 hp with no electric assistance. The engine will be tuned with the intent for this to be the most refined car the company has produced. The proactive chassis control adaptive suspension system will likely also be retuned to focus on comfort over outright performance.
The interior is said to get bespoke switchgear, and a wider range of materials, colours, and interior comforts than other models. A unique version of the carbon chassis that underpins all McLarens will be required to accommodate the central driver and offset rear passenger seats. The shape of the car hasn't yet been spotted but expect an elegant shape that looks back to the original F1, with all of the drama that shape brought when it was launched.
The car is expected to be low volume, with just 64 produced. That is the same number as there were road legal F1s built the first time. The cost is expected at £2 million, and the launch is likely in 2018 to correspond with the 30th anniversary of the conversation that lead to the creation of the first car.
