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McLaren teases new Sports Series in development

Hot on the heels of confirming its upcoming "entry-level" model, McLaren has released a solitary teaser image of that new vehicle undergoing testing. Known until now as the P13, the McLaren Sports Series is set to take on the likes of the Audi R8 and Porsche 911 GT3. Like the rest of the F1-team-turned-supercar-manufacturer's lineup, it'll be built around a carbon monocoque with a V8 engine mounted amidships – widely expected to be a detuned version of the 3.8-liter twin-turbo unit that has already found its home in the 12C, 650S and P1, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Although the teaser image above only shows part of the car, and is wearing all manner of camouflage, it definitely looks like a modern McLaren. You can see the telltale swoosh-shaped LED headlights peering from behind the mesh cladding and ten-spoke alloys spinning away, with wing mirrors mounted to the doors (like on the P1) instead of the window frame (like the 650S). Beyond that there's not much to tell at this point, but you can see that the cockpit will (at least initially) feature a two-seat layout and not the 2+2 arrangement that could still follow – or, for that matter, the 1+2 central driving position of the legendary McLaren F1, an arrangement Woking ruled out for its modern fleet of supercars due to practical considerations like toll booths and parking gates. News Source: McLaren via Facebook McLaren Coupe Supercars mclaren sports series mclaren p13

McLaren's entry-level P13 will be called Sports Series

McLaren is dropping its alphanumeric model-naming scheme when it comes to its upcoming model to slot into the bottom of the brand's supercar lineup. Unlike the 650S or P1, the vehicle previously known as the P13, is now rechristened with an actual title as the Sport Series. The announcement comes in conjunction with a somewhat bizarre new teaser video that compares the future supercar to a black swan. It's the, "symbol of a moment that challenges beliefs and turns thinking upside down," according to the clip. That seems like a pretty big promise, but McLaren also confirms that the Sports Series is primed for a global unveiling in the second quarter of 2015 with a carbon-fiber chassis and mid-mounted V8. Hard facts about the supercar haven't been easy to come by. Company spokesperson Wayne Bruce confirmed to Autoblog this year that the price would be "around two thirds of what a 12C would cost you today." Multiple body styles have also been suggested, including a coupe, convertible and possibly even a larger GT version. Earlier rumors also indicated that the turbocharged V8 might be detuned down to around 450 horsepower, compared to 641 hp from the 650S. The switch to using a real name for the model rather than a mix of numbers and letters certainly signals it as something different from the rest of the brand. Scroll down to read the McLaren's announcement and check out its rather weird teaser clip. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. McLAREN CONFIRMS MUCH ANTICIPATED SPORTS SERIES WITH GAME-CHANGING LAUNCH CAMPAIGN Nov 6, 2014 McLaren Sports Series to make global premiere in 2015 Third model in the range will be a pure McLaren View the Sports Series launch film at http://youtu.be/0ff_kV1wqYE Follow the campaign at cars.mclaren.com and join the conversation – #BlackSwanMoments Scheduled to premiere on the world stage in the second quarter of 2015, McLaren has now confirmed that its latest model, previously referred to only by its internal codename 'P13', will be known as the McLaren Sports Series. It will join the range below the 650S, bringing McLaren credentials and exclusivity to the sportscar segment for the first time. The launch campaign will plot the history over 13 chapters of true game-changing – Black Swan – moments from around the world and within McLaren's.

2015 McLaren 650S Review

Otolith organs are the tiny acceleration-sensing parts of your inner ear that are extremely effective at telling your brain when you are changing velocity. They make easy work of elevator rides, subway cars and most roller coasters, but the organs are completely overpowered by the 2015 McLaren 650S – the acceleration from its twin-turbocharged V8 leaves them dazed and confused, an overwhelming, dizzy sensation topped off with a bout of queasiness. The British automaker did not intend its MP4-12C successor to be nauseating – despite its effectiveness in this role – but the explosive way the rear-wheel-drive supercar puts its power down is absolutely mind-boggling. We've driven countless other exotics, but it's hard to point to a single example that changes velocity as quickly, and as capably, as this $330,000, carbon fiber, street-legal racer. Some would consider a $1-million winning lottery ticket the key to happiness. We'd argue that spending five days with a Mako Blue McLaren 650S – barf bag poised in lap – is a much more gratifying prize. Its new lines are far more distinctive than its predecessor, which was cleanly styled but a bit paint-by-numbers supercar. McLaren's MP4-12C, launched in the middle of 2011, was a superb sports car. Unfortunately, many who drove it felt that it lacked the final bits of polish, and a sharp, emotional edge, to push it ahead of its Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborghini Gallardo competition. Not content sitting in the cold shadows of its rivals, McLaren went back to its engineering team and had them diligently rework dozens of components. What emerged, under the quartz lights of the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, was this 650S. The basic architecture, a Formula One-like carbon-fiber tub with front and rear aluminum crush extrusions, was unchanged from the 12C, but the new model debuted fresh styling, refined suspension tuning, more potent brakes and a healthy boost in power. Mako Blue isn't our first choice from McLaren's nearly unlimited color palette (orange and yellow are stunning), but standing face-to-face with the carbon-fiber-bodied coupe reveals that this paint provides an optimal way to show off the car's P1-inspired styling. Compared to the 12C, the 650 appears more aggressive and decidedly more threatening – both necessary in this emotion-driven segment. Most importantly, its new lines are far more distinctive than its predecessor, which was cleanly styled but a bit paint-by-numbers supercar.

McLaren offers glimpse inside P1 GTR program [w/video]

Among the many things we were looking forward to seeing at Pebble Beach this year, the McLaren P1 GTR was near the top of our list. Invoking the spirit of the legendary McLaren F1 GTR that dominated sports car racing in the mid-1990s, the P1 GTR was unveiled in Monterey this past August in concept form, giving us an idea of what to expect. But now McLaren has given us a little more. Envisioned as a track toy for the wealthy who want to play racing driver, the P1 GTR is a further evolution – and a more extreme one – of the road-going P1. The GTR is being developed exclusively for use on track. To that end, Woking has stripped out the cockpit and installed a multifunction steering wheel said to be derived from the championship-winning MP4-23 grand prix car, allowing the driver to "fully adjust the setup and characteristics of the car without having to take their hands off the wheel." The racing buckets are modeled after a DTM touring car, equipped with six-point harnesses and affixed directly to the chassis. Outside you'll notice Pirelli slicks and a fixed rear wing with F1-style Drag Reduction System. The P1 GTR is about more than the vehicle itself, though, as McLaren – similar to what Ferrari offers with the XX client test-driver program – is launching a full driver support program to go along with it. Customers will have access to the advanced simulator at the McLaren Technology Centre (typically reserved for the team's contracted racing drivers) as well as the factory's coaches. The program will also include 10 to 12 track sessions each year, to be held at F1-certified tracks around the world, at which each customer will have his or her own garage and crew, all for the benefit of their enjoyment. The program is laid out in the video below, along with which McLaren has released a fresh batch of images showing the uncamouflaged prototype inside and out undergoing hot-weather testing at the grand prix circuit in Bahrain. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

McLaren 650S GT3 stalks its prey in the woods

We're plenty excited about the new McLaren 650S GT3. While we've poured over images of the new racer, we've yet to see it in motion, which makes the arrival of this new video pretty fortuitous. By clicking 'play' above, you'll see the 650S streaking through the forest, showing off its many good angles along with an ear-pleasing exhaust note that should fit in nicely on the racing grid. Of course, what grid that will be is open for discussion. Rumors continue circulating that the replacement for the MP4-12C GT3 will herald McLaren's long-awaited return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans and other top-flight endurance series, provided it's converted to the GTE class standard. While that's yet to be confirmed, as of right now, it's a virtual certainty that this new model will take up the series currently contested by the GT3 class, including the Blancpain Endurance Series and Pirelli World Challenge. Take a look at the video and let us know what you think in Comments. Related Gallery McLaren 650S GT3 View 16 Photos News Source: McLaren Automotive via YouTube Motorsports McLaren Coupe Racing Vehicles Videos motorsport mclaren 650s mclaren 650s gt3

McLaren rolls out more accessible 625C in Asia

When McLaren first introduced the 650S, the initial idea was to keep the 12C it effectively replaced around as a more accessible option – particularly in certain Asian markets where buying a new car, much less an exotic supercar, is an even costlier endeavor than it is in other markets. Woking soon changed track and discontinued the 12C, but has now addressed that "entry-level" demand with the introduction of the new 625C. Based closely on the 650S, the 625C is being launched in Hong Kong and will be available exclusively in the Asia Pacific region, making this McLaren's first "regionally tailored" model. It's powered by McLaren's signature 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8, but carries the same 616-horsepower output as the 12C touted before it's demise. It also gets a softer rear suspension to make the Club model both "more refined and more accessible" than the 650S. As a result of the decrease in power, 0-62 is quoted at one tenth slower than the 650S at 3.1 seconds, while top speed and emissions figures remain the same. Asian buyers will be able to opt for coupe and convertible body-styles, but what's particularly interesting for those in other regions is that the 625C paves the way for other variants tailored to specific markets (say, like the North American one, for example) and that the nameplate ostensibly sets the precedent for a new naming scheme to usher McLaren away from its previous disparate nomenclature (12C, 650S, P1) and into a more clearly defined hierarchy. THE McLAREN 625C: THE FIRST REGIONALLY TAILORED McLAREN MODEL Sep 26, 2014 - New more refined and more accessible McLaren 625C created for the increasingly important Asian market - Based on the globally available 650S - Coupe and Spider models available from launch As McLaren continues to grow its presence globally, the British sportscar maker has announced plans for its first regionally tailored model aimed at the Asian market. The new McLaren 625C offers the greatest level of refinement of any McLaren model to date, combined with the optimised driving dynamics all McLarens are famous for. The Asian market has seen the biggest area of growth for McLaren Automotive over the past two years, not least with the entry into China in September 2013. Sales are set to grow from 20 percent in 2013 to more than a third in 2014.

McLaren intent on signing Vettel, Alonso

There are several world champions on the Formula One grid this year, but only two multiple world champions. And McLaren wants them both. In fact, the latest reports from pit lane indicate that the British team is undertaking a concerted effort to sign one or both for next year or beyond. According to Autosport, both team principals Ron Dennis and Eric Boullier are focused on signing Sebastian Vettel and/or Fernando Alonso, who have between them taken six of the past nine world championships (the other three belonging to Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, all of whom have driven for McLaren) and are prepared not only to pay handsomely, but also to wait: Vettel is currently signed with Red Bull through the end of 2015, and Alonso with Ferrari through 2016. But both have struggled this season with cars that can't keep up with the front-running Mercedes, and could welcome the opportunity to start afresh with a new team – and a highly successful one at that. Of course, McLaren hasn't been at the top of its game lately either, but the Woking outfit is at the dawn of a new era. Next year it's bringing Honda back to the grid with an all-new engine that may take some time to break in but stands a chance of threatening the Mercedes' dominance this season in a way that the Renault and Ferrari engines have not. It just needs the right drivers to pilot them. As of yet, it seems that McLaren has not received a firm "no" from either driver's camp, and appear to be eager to continue pursuing either or both until they're told otherwise. In the meantime, the team is leaving its current drivers Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen in limbo with the prospect of being signed for another year, another few or not at all. It all depends on what becomes of Alonso and Vettel. After winning his back-to-back titles with Renault, Alonso briefly drove for McLaren in 2007. That was the same in which Vettel made his race debut for Toro Rosso, two years before switching to the Red Bull team he's been ever since. News Source: AutosportImage Credit: Clive Mason/Getty Hirings/Firings/Layoffs Motorsports McLaren F1 Sebastian Vettel

Watch a McLaren P1 get tormented by a BAC Mono at Silverstone

Could there be anything more infuriating than making a million-plus-dollar investment in a vehicle like the McLaren P1, only to take it to a track and find you're unable to outrun a car that costs, without options, about 96,000 pounds ($159,000 at today's rates)? One P1 driver experienced that sort of frustration while running Silverstone, when he tangled with a very persistent BAC Mono driver. Now, the P1 absolutely decimates the single-seat, closed-wheel track toy on the straights, while losing a lot of ground in the bends. Even on a high-speed track like Silverstone, the McLaren doesn't boast enough of an advantage to keep the Mono at bay. As the intelligent YouTube commenters (yes, we're surprised by this too) point out, though, there could be a number of reasons why the Mono is so able to hassle and pass the P1. First, it's quite clear that the BAC driver knows the circuit far better than the McLaren pilot, as evidenced by his lines, particularly through Stowe and the Club/Vale complex (this could be chalked up, as one commenter says, to the lead car driving with his mirrors). The BAC is probably running a more aggressive tire than the P1, which in turn appears to be handicapping itself by not running its most aggressive aero setup. Finally, remember that the McLaren is a fully street-legal vehicle, full of safety gear and crash-worthiness as required by law. Still, the fact that this relatively affordable track toy is able to hound and pass one of the world's premier performance machines is a particularly impressive feat. Take a look at the video to see what we mean. Related Gallery BAC Mono View 15 Photos Related Gallery McLaren P1 News Source: Oliver Webb via YouTube Motorsports McLaren Convertible Coupe Racing Vehicles Performance Videos mclaren p1 silverstone bac mono bac

McLaren 650S Sprint is ready to hit the track running in Monterey

McLaren isn't exactly the most plebeian brand to begin with, so it makes sense for the company to take advantage of the lavish parties and wealthy folks descending on California for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. In addition to the insane P1 GTR, McLaren is showing off the track-focused 650S Sprint here in Monterey. This new 650S it takes the place of the 12C Sprint in the brand's lineup, and should be the fastest 650S short of the GT3 racer. The thing is, the Sprint isn't technically a homologated racer, but it makes a great toy to show off at track days. For the Sprint, the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 stays put, but McLaren optimizes the 650S' body for more downforce and better engine cooling. It also packs all sorts of track goodies like a competition fuel tank, larger radiator, racing-tuned suspension and 19-inch center-lock wheels. It also has all of the safety necessities for a day of doing laps like a roll cage, fire suppression and racing buckets. Of course, you might have known about all of that already, since the British brand revealed the Sprint just a few days ago, but you can check it live our gallery from Monterey.

McLaren P1 GTR Design Concept previews super exotic track stormer

McLaren says the P1 GTR has one goal: "to be the best driver's car in the world on track." And with no intentions of making the thing road-legal, McLaren was able to freely put together this design concept, showing a car that, to our eyes, looks absolutely capable of delivering the best in track-focused dynamics. Under the hood, the P1's 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 has been enhanced to deliver 986 horsepower, an increase of 83 hp versus the engine's already ludicrous tune in the standard car. McLaren paid extra close attention to improving aerodynamics, with the sole intent of allowing the GTR to offer "more extreme performance," according to the company's press release. The front track is wider, with a larger, GT-style splitter. Cooling for the engine and brakes has been improved. The ride height has been lowered. The car's mirrors are now repositioned on the A-pillar to reduce drag and allow for better visibility. What's more, the racer rides on a unique set of 19-inch lightweight motorsport alloy wheels, and tire changes are easier managed thanks to an onboard air jacking system derived from the setup used on the 650S GT3 racecar. Active aerodynamics are found out back, too, with a fixed-height wing that uses a hydraulically operated drag reduction system, working in tandem with the active aero flaps placed ahead of the front wheels. Alongside the P1 GTR launch, McLaren offered up a few details about its new driver program, an exclusive ownership experience that includes specialized driver training, access to a racing simulator and more, all of which is "designed to prepare each driver mentally and physically to fully exploit the abilities of the McLaren P1 GTR." It sounds pretty intense, with each experience being individually tailored for each specific driver. Read more details about the driver program, as well as the P1 GTR in the press release below, and have a look at the gallery above to see live photos of the car direct from its debut here in Monterey.