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McLaren Automotive posts first yearly profit

The automotive division of McLaren has just returned its first yearly profit, netting 4.5 million pounds ($7.5 million at today's rates) in pre-tax profit and 12.4 million pounds ($20.7 million) in operating profits on revenue of 285.4 million pounds ($478.1 million). McLaren is only expecting things to get better, too, with the announcement of the sub-650S P13 set to increase sales to 4,000 units per year. As for the brand's latest model, the 650S, there are already over 1,000 orders for the new coupe and convertible. The British brand will also offer a limited run of track-based P1 hypercars, although they'll only be available to the 375 fabulously wealthy customers who ordered the road-going version of the high-performance hybrid. Part of making money is reinvesting, which is why McLaren saw its research spending jump by 2.5 million pounds ($4.1 million) in 2013, to 70.6 million pounds ($118.2 million). Take a look below for the official press release from McLaren. McLAREN AUTOMOTIVE ON TARGET FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS Jun 4, 2014 Key information: Profit before tax - GBP4.5m Operating profit - GBP12.4m Turnover - GBP285.4m (up from GBP266.6m) Investment in future models - GBP70.6m (up from GBP68.1m) Turnover and profit both expected to grow in 2014 McLaren Automotive's next model, codenamed P13, to go on sale during 2015 Limited run of track only McLaren P1™ hypercar confirmed for introduction in 2015 McLaren 650S international sales already strong – more than 1000 orders received McLaren Automotive made both an operating and pre-tax profit for the first time in 2013, during only its third year of car production. This is a significant achievement for an independent British car company operating in such a highly competitive global market. McLaren Automotive's improved profitability proves the company's longer term business model, which is able to invest continuously in R&D in order to develop and sell the world's most exciting and technologically advanced high performance cars. McLaren Automotive has also confirmed that its next all-new sportscar, codenamed P13, will be available before the end of 2015 and will take its range into a lower price-point - making McLaren more accessible, while retaining its commitment to excellence, performance and innovation. P13 will be a comfortable, usable, and beautiful mid-engined two seater sportscar, built around a carbon fibre chassis.

ATM customers push the Jenson Button to meet their Secret Santander

We all know the drill: you need cash, you go to an ATM, you push some buttons and out come the bills, deducted from your checking account. But some customers at European bank Santander got a bit of a surprise when they were asked to use a new type of automatic teller and push the Jenson Button. Putting the Santa in Santander, the 2009 Formula One World Champion hid inside an ATM in England and dispersed gifts from the bank to a fortunate few of its customers. It's a good gag, one that puts the bank in good light and spreads a bit of holiday cheer. In case you're wondering what Santander has to do with Button and F1, note that the Spanish-owned banking group has, since 2008, sponsored the McLaren team for which Button drives. Not unlike Marlboro, it started sponsoring the Ferrari team in 2010 when Fernando Alonso signed with the Italian team, but though Santander initially planned on severing ties with the British team when it switched to the Scuderia, it's stuck with McLaren over the years. And with Alonso now returning to Woking, we wouldn't be surprised to see the bank step up to an even more prominent role with the team. News Source: Santander via YouTube, Racer Celebrities Marketing/Advertising McLaren Videos santander

McLaren to launch 650S replacement in 2018

McLaren only launched the 650S last year, but by 2018 it'll be four years old – and the 12C underpinnings on which it is largely based will have been around for seven. Looking at those time spans, it should come as little surprise that Woking is already gearing up to launch its replacement. According to Autocar, the successor to the McLaren 650S is due in 2018. It's anticipated to be based on the same carbon monocoque architecture and 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that's widely used by the company. Frank Stephenson and his team are also tipped to be working on a new design that will depart sharply from the theme that has characterized the P1 (Ultimate Series), 650S (Super Series), and 570S (Sports Series). Look for that appearance to point the way forward for future McLaren models. Expect output to exceed the 641 horsepower in the 650S and possibly even the 666 hp in the 675LT. By the time it arrives, Woking's latest will have to contend with even more powerful versions of the Ferrari 488 GTB and Lamborghini Huracan, which produce 661 hp and 602 hp, respectively, in their current iterations. It remains to be seen, however, whether the new Super Series model will adopt hybrid propulsion like the P1. A hard-top convertible Spider is also anticipated to follow. The new model's internal designation of P14, as Autocar asserts, may finally put to rest the mystery of what Woking was saving that slot for: P11 was used for the 12C (and P11M for the 650S), P12 for the P1, P13 for the new Sports Series, and P15 is said to be earmarked for a new model to slot in between the 650S and P1. Related Video: