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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:

McLaren Sports Series plays in snow ahead of New York debut

For a relatively small automaker – in terms of output, at least – McLaren sure has had a lot of new product to showcase lately. And in typical style, it's not showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon. After presenting both the 675LT and the P1 GTR in Geneva, Woking is gearing up to unveil the new Sports Series at the New York Auto Show next month. But before it does, the British racing team turned supercar constructor has released this teaser video for its upcoming "entry level" range. Captured playing in the snow, this McLaren Sports Series prototype is still wearing heavy camouflage, but already shows early promise. Joining the Super Series (which includes the 650S and 675LT) and Ultimate Series (P1 and P1 GTR), the new Sports Series will be based on similar architecture – with a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 nestled in the middle of a carbon-fiber chassis – but with less power and a (relatively) more accessible price tag to go after the likes of the Porsche 911 GT3 and new Audi R8. We're looking forward to seeing the finished product in the flesh next week at the Javitz Center in Manhattan. News Source: McLaren via YouTube New York Auto Show McLaren Coupe Supercars 2015 ny auto show mclaren sports series

McLaren Sports Series promises at least seven variants

Just how many different supercars can McLaren offer? The answer may yet surprise us even more than we anticipated. The British racing outfit is building a growing range of models around the same basic architecture that has already bred five different variants across two families: the Super Series (with the 625C, 650S and new 675LT) and the Ultimate Series (P1 and P1 GTR). That's already impressive as it is, but the addition of the upcoming new Sports Series promises to expand Woking's model line even further. Much further. According to the latest from Car and Driver, which sat down with McLaren's affable chief executive Mike Flewitt at the Geneva Motor Show last week, the new Sports Series will come in enough flavors to put an ice cream parlor to shame. We've known for some time that the company's upcoming entry-level range would come in at least three body styles, if not four. There'll be a coupe, a convertible and an unconventional GT version. But there will also be a number of engine specs available. The base model will wear the letter C, like the pared-down Asian market 625C. The next step up will be distinguished by the letter S, like the 650S. Both will be offered right from launch. But a third version could follow to serve as a baby brother to the new 675LT. Even if the latter is only offered in one body style, that means the Sports Series will come in seven different versions – giving potential buyers a similar array of choices they'd find if they went for a Porsche 911 or Audi R8. Pricing is similarly expected to target the upper end of the 911 range, landing somewhere between the 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S, which sell for $152k and $184k, respectively, in the US. Even at the upper end of that range, that's still substantially less than the $265k starting price for the 650S. To make up the difference, the Sports Series will do without active aero and suspension, but will still employ a similar carbon monocoque chassis and 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission – albeit de-tuned from upwards of 600 horsepower to somewhere in the 500-horse range. We'll have to sit tight and wait for more details, but the wait won't be long now as the McLaren Sports Series is set to debut at the New York Auto Show next month. News Source: Car and DriverImage Credit: McLaren New York Auto Show McLaren Convertible Coupe Supercars mclaren sports series