McLaren has begun testing the successor of the F1 - currently known as ‘P12′ - that is supposed to surface in 2014. The new model will join the MP4-12C in the McLaren range and will challenge the likes of Porsche 918 Spyder and Ferrari Enzo’s successor in the supercars’ top league. According to Autocar.co.uk, the first tests took place in Spain, Germany and Bahrain in order to collect as many data as possible in different weather conditions, before getting to the final setting stage.

Just like the F1 in 1994, this new model will be a pretty exclusive car as McLaren is planning to produce 500 units only by 2018, each one bearing a 1 Million Pounds price tag which - with the due proportions - is even more than what was asked for Gordon Murray’s F1. The car will have a carbon fibre composite chassis and a brand new turbocharged 5.0 V8 engine, producing 800 hp and developed together with Ricardo, the British engineering company that worked with McLaren on the MP4-12C engine as well. The new rear-wheel drive car will come with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission by Graziano and should deliver its maximum torque of 794 Nm between 3500 and 6800 rpm, which would give it a basically endless thrust. It is safe to assume that the final version of the P12 will reach 100km/h from standstill in less than 3 seconds, and will probably boast a sprint time from 0 to 320km/h of about 20 seconds.

Suspension settings will probably be lifted from the MP4-12C, including the advanced electronic control system, hydraulic stabilizer bars and adjustable traction control. Obviously the braking system has to be top-notch as well, therefore McLaren chose the last generation of carbon-ceramic brakes from Brembo. Aerodynamics will also be heavily inspired by the MP4-12C but the exterior design will be more sharp and aggressive, with some Formula 1 element too. The signature 3 seat/driver-in-the-middle solution adopted for the cabin of the F1 will not be used for the new model.

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After only recently appearing on the Top Gear show, reports are that Rowan Atkinson has crashed his McLaren F1 supercar in the UK, in wet weather. In dramatic reports, Atkinson crashed the F1 into a lamppost and a tree, apparently losing control of the vehicle before it burst into flames.

In scenes reminiscent of Johnny English, Atkinson apparently crawled from the flaming vehicle and was taken to hospital with only a shoulder injury. It’s the second time he’s crashed his McLaren F1, with the first time happening in 1999. The car is estimated as having a value of £650,000, though probably not right now.

Atkinson was the fastest “star in a reasonably priced car” on the Top Gear show (see video above) and has a collection of vintage and supercar models. The F1 is apparently with the McLaren recovery team right now to get it back into shape.

Source | Daily Mirror

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Evaluating the McLaren MP4-12C by pitting it against the historic McLaren F1 GTR is probably no way to do things but frankly, who cares? Any excuse to see the MP4-12C on the track in a different context is fine by us and we’re all kind of curious anyway as to how this might perform.

English understatements aside, the two get flogged on the track and the comparison does bring us a little closer to understanding the McLaren MP4-12C and how it might perform in the cut and thrust segment of supercars. For such expensive vehicles, it’s remarkable what a crowded segment this is. But no worries, because McLaren is certainly carving out its own space, and this video (partly) shows us how.

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This is a video for the petrol head in you: one for the speed queen, turbo charged, adrenalin seeker who wants to see fast cars driven… fast. Top Gear compares the McLaren F1 and the Bugatti Veyron in what’s probably a gratuitous test for them to get out in some supercars and play around.

The “two fastest road cars of all time” get out for a speed test in which the only conclusion that can be made is not that they’re both very fast. They’re both stunning, absolutely breathtaking, to look at. And they’re both the stuff of dreams.

It may seem a little unfair to compare the Bugatti to a car that’s already ten years old, but the McLaren is no slack in mechanics and it’s lighter. For a hair raising race, and the result, see the video.

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