2017 Mclaren 570 Coupe 2d on 2040-cars

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Chris Harris brings together the 918 Spyder, LaFerrari, and P1

The Porsche 918 Spyder, Ferrari LaFerrari, and McLaren P1 show that a hybrid powertrain can make for blistering performance despite its electric assist. This trio doesn't arrive on track together very often, but Chris Harris assembled these three stars at the Portimao circuit for a nearly hour-long demonstration of their amazing capabilities. So, which one is quickest around the track? Harris provides an answer with in-car video of all three contenders. His team also goes out of its way to even the playing field by sourcing tires independently from Pirelli for the P1 and LaFerrari. With the technical part out of the way, Harris can start having fun by doing his usual slides during the driving comparison. Tiff Needell and Marino Franchitti also eventually show up to provide the perfect recipe for a track battle in these hypercars. If you don't have the time, skip about 14:25 into the clip just to see the lap times. However, those numbers only tell a tiny part of the story. The whole video is definitely worth a watch.

This unique McLaren 12C is valued at nearly $1.6 million

Want a new McLaren? Be prepared to shell out six figures. You can save a bundle if you're willing to go with a second-hand 12C, which you can pick up now for around $200k – about what you'd spend on a new 570S. Yet this particular MP4-12C is estimated to be worth upwards of a million. So what gives? As you may have guessed, this is no ordinary McLaren 12C. It's one of just ten examples of the special edition High Sport introduced back in 2012. McLaren Special Operations equipped the HS with aerodynamic enhancements derived from the GT3 racer, and an engine upgraded by around 80 horsepower to roughly match that of the ultimate 675LT that came much later. This particular example was ordered up by Ron Dennis himself with a special livery that mirrors (quite literally) the Vodafone livery which the F1 team was running at the time, with silver fading to black and neon red accents inside, out, and even on the wheels. Throw in the Stealth package, sport exhaust, carbon-ceramic brakes, and other goodies, and this example stands out from the other 3,500 or so 12Cs McLaren made over three years of production before the 650S replaced it. Outlandish as the livery may seem, this car won top awards at shows across Florida where it's current registered. Now consigned to Mecum Auctions to sell at its upcoming event next month, in Kissimmee, FL, it's expected to sell for between $1.3 and $1.6 million. That's more than you would have had to pay for a P1 if you had gotten your order in on time, but could prove the sounder investment as a collector's item. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2012 McLaren MP4-12C High Sport: Mecum Kissimmee 2016 View 32 Photos News Source: Mecum McLaren Auctions Coupe Supercars mclaren mp4-12c livery mclaren special operations mso mclaren 12c vodafone

Meet the carbon-fiber F1 racer that started it all

We take it for granted that Formula One racing cars are made from carbon fiber. But that wasn't always the case, of course. And as with any revolution, this one had to start somewhere. Enter the McLaren MP4/1. It was the very first F1 car built around a carbon-fiber monocoque, introduced at a time when every other team was still using aluminum. McLaren introduced the original MP4 after merging (at Marlboro's behest) with the Project 4 team, bringing its chief Ron Dennis on board to call the shots. The design made its debut in 1981, winning the British Grand Prix at Silverstone that year and serving as the basis for the team's design for the next three years. Niki Lauda won two grands prix behind the wheel of the subsequent MP4B. But more importantly, the carbon-fiber MP4 changed the face not only of racing, but of supercar design to follow. Little wonder then that McLaren hasn't made a race or road car since that hasn't been based around a carbon monocoque chassis, from the prototypical MP4/1 to today's MP4-31, and from the legendary McLaren F1 road car to the latest 570S. But don't take our word for it; hear the story direct from the car's designer John Bernard in this latest video direct from Woking. Related Video: