McLaren P11 supercar goes under the knife again before 2010
We reported ex-Fiat boss Frank Stephenson was tasked with a clean-sheet redesign of the upcoming McLaren supercar, codenamed the McLaren P11, just two months ago. Now we are hearing word that the exotic has been totally redesigned and is scheduled for a launch in 2010. Prototypes of the two-seat, mid-engined coupe (and convertible) are in testing as you read this.Both body styles are reportedly built on a carbon fiber tub with aluminum front and rear subframes. Weight is expected to be less than 3,000 pounds, making it one of the lightest high-performance cars on the road (the current Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren coupe, more than a bit on the porky side, tips the scales about 750 pounds heavier). Power for the supercar is expected to come from a 550-hp V8 built by famed engine builder Mahle.
Now that the design of the P11 is theoretically set in stone, McLaren needs to find a factory in which to build it. Sites across Europe, including those in Italy, Austria, and Britain, are being considered. Insiders say the factory will announce their manufacturing decision next summer.
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
zamafir 5:33PM (11/04/2008)
"Weight is expected to be less than 3,000 pounds, making it one of the lightest high-performance cars on the road "
A. This is McLaren, even without Murray on board (THE reason the McLaren F1 is what it is), anything they're marketing department is trumping as a return to mid engined high performance supercars should by default be light.
B. There are quite a few supercars at or below 3,000lbs (dry, as that's how zonda report's theirs):
Gallardo SL - 2,932 lbs
Porsche GT3 - 3,031 lbs
Zonda Roadster/s/ - 2,821 lbs
Zonda F/ ClubSport / Roadster F- 2,711 lbs
F430 - 2,975 lbs
430 Scuderia - 2,775 lbs
Gumpert Apallo - 2,645 lbs
With marketing linking it to the F1 (it is a McLaren, it is a Supercar) it will need to be under 3,000 lbs and it'll need to be damn good to fair well in the increasingly crowded field of rich kids toys under 3,000lbs - especially without Murray.
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Bungle 5:36PM (11/04/2008)
This looks interesting, but I'm still holding a grudge that the P8 was aborted... I would have loved to see McLaren's version of an "affordable supercar."
Why hasn't that idea ever been pulled off? I know that R&D and materials for a supercar are not cheap, but I have to think that a major manufacturer could deliver a screaming performance vehicle for under $50K (think along the lines of a properly-powered Elise). Drop all of the unessential equipment and put all of that money toward performance parts, built on a lightweight, very capable chassis.
Is it just a lack of demand?
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zamafir 5:55PM (11/04/2008)
Aside from the obvious reason, super low margin when you're talking Corvette z06 beating performance for under 50k? I'm not sure.
JF 6:47PM (11/04/2008)
Bungle, I know what you're saying, but I think the Vette is the closest thing. Get a Z51 and boost it.
AMcA 9:42PM (11/04/2008)
You know, that's not all that impressive. 3000 lbs., 550 hp? That's just a hair better power-to-weight than a ZR-1 at a fraction the cost.
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tankd0g 12:37AM (11/05/2008)
Nice Gallardo Spyder.
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