Finally a new McLaren!

[the Teuton]

Saying "we can?t reveal our sources, for obvious reasons," U.K. publication CAR yesterday released what it claims are accurate pictures of an early clay model of McLaren's next supercar, the P11. The new vehicle is purported to continue the tradition of the legendary F1 (fastest production car from 1994 to 2005, according to Wikipedia), but ring in at a much saner price point, competing with the likes of Ferrari's F430 and Lamborghini's Gallardo.

http://blogs.thecarconnection.com/blogs/marty_blog/concept-cars/mclaren-p11-spy-shots-released-by-uks-car/

w00t!

[280Z Turbo]

There's no way it will be as cool as the F1.

The F1 had an engine bay lined with gold. 'nuff said.

[the Teuton]

There's no way it will be as cool as the F1.

The F1 had an engine bay lined with gold. 'nuff said.

It's also going to cost maybe 1/4 of the price, too.

[280Z Turbo]

It's also going to cost maybe 1/4 of the price, too.

That makes it less cool.

Any self-indulgent weiner can own an F430.

[the Teuton]

That makes it less cool.

Any self-indulgent weiner can own an F430.

I'd still argue that there are few cars that have as much prestige as a McLaren and are as rare.  I think this car will be so much more than anything an F430 has ever been.

[BimmerM3]

That makes it less cool.

Any self-indulgent weiner can own an F430.

lol at Gone in 60 Seconds reference.

[omicron]

It would want to look a bit more interesting than that, mind.

[SVT666]

Unless the driver sits in the middle with passenger seats on both sides, it's not a real McLaren.

[Submariner]

P11 is the codename for the Mercedes/McLaren concept...before the went their separate ways.

Anyways...Part of the F1's appeal is it rarity, it's unique setup, and it's price.  I hope this changes none of that...but It appears as if it will.

[Secret Chimp]

s it rarity, it's unique setup, and it's price.

arrrrrrrgh!

[Raza]

That picture could not say "Insert Generic Supercar Picture Here" more.

[Submariner]

That picture could not say "Insert Generic Supercar Picture Here" more.

True, but then again, the F1 wasn't a wild looking car. 

[Raza]

True, but then again, the F1 wasn't a wild looking car. 

But it didn't look like every upstart supercar.  It's distinct compared to the cars of its era.  This looks like an Artega.

[the Teuton]

This looks like an "F1 Lite."  All of the basic design looks similar, but it's modernized obviously cheaper.  It's not going to look like the F1 to the Nth degree.

[sportyaccordy]

It's also going to cost maybe 1/4 of the price, too.

More than that when you factor in inflation.

[SVT666]

True, but then again, the F1 wasn't a wild looking car. 

Have you ever seen one in person?  Damn is it ever cool.  Pictures never did that car justice.

[Catman]

Looks very boring.

[the Teuton]

Looks very boring.

It looks very McLaren F1 to me.

[2o6]

It looks quite generic to me. Could easily have a badge of some other make.

[giant_mtb]

Hmm.

[AltinD]

It looks quite generic to me. Could easily have a badge of some other make.

Why I agree that it seams generic but for god sake what easily recognasible authentic design elements would you be looking in a brand that has had only 1 ... ok 2 products so far.

[SVT666]

Why I agree that it seams generic but for god sake what easily recognasible authentic design elements would you be looking in a brand that has had only 1 ... ok 2 products so far.

Technically, McLaren has only had one.  They built and did engineering work on the SLR, but it's a Mercedes-Benz design.  The F1 is the only true McLaren so far.

[sportyaccordy]

Doesn't really have the same excitement of the first car.

They should work with a manufacturer to make a fun to drive car for the masses (i.e. Lotus Cortina)

[Raza]

Doesn't really have the same excitement of the first car.

They should work with a manufacturer to make a fun to drive car for the masses (i.e. Lotus Cortina)

They did that with Mercedes. 

Don't most people have $450,000 to blow on a daily driver?

[FordSVT]

If they have a "budget" price point, this car can never be as special as the F1 was. The entire reason that car existed was because Gordon Murray wanted to build the ultimate, no-compromises, road-going supercar. Sophisticated manufacturing processes, expensive and exotic materials that are still rarely seen on a production car to this day. They didn't care how much it cost, they simply wanted to create the ultimate supercar. And they did, I think the only two super cars that can compete with it as far as prestige and auto-celebrity go are the Enzo and maybe the Veyron.

Will it be fast? Definitely, but it looks to be "just another" Murci, F430, Koenig, etc. competitor. Big motor, light materials, lots of grip, slippery body, lots of electronics probably, but not as unique as it's forbearer.

I beg to be proven wrong, but for a quarter million I just don't see it.

[Laconian]

I think some of the most clever engineering comes from working around constraints.

I am looking forward to seeing what an unfettered McLaren can do for $200k. The SLR was impressive even with all the Mercedes plushness; imagine what they are capable of when they leave that baggage behind!

[FordSVT]

I think some of the most clever engineering comes from working around constraints.

I am looking forward to seeing what an unfettered McLaren can do for $200k. The SLR was impressive even with all the Mercedes plushness; imagine what they are capable of when they leave that baggage behind!

It's not just about "clever engineering". "Clever engineering" keeps an old Volkswagen Bus together with duct tape. The F1 was about pushing the boundaries of production car design. Materials cost money, new techniques cost money. It wasn't about doing something everyone else was doing in a slightly different way, it was about things no one else had done. Uniqueness has a price.

[Galaxy]

Have you ever seen one in person?  Damn is it ever cool.  Pictures never did that car justice.

What surprised me most when I saw the first one was how small it is.

[SVT666]

What surprised me most when I saw the first one was how small it is.

Yeah.  That shocked me too.  I have a picture of me standing beside it and the top of the scoop on the roof is at my belt.  I also have a picture of me sitting in it where I have 4" of space above my head.  It shocked me how much head room it had until I tried to get out and realized my ass was only 4" off the ground.

[FordSVT]

They are surprisingly roomy compared to the Diablo and Viper that I have sat in, the only two cars I've been in that I'd call remotely viable for that kind of comparison. And not just because of the wing seats, the driving position is very good.