McLaren 'P15' to succeed P1 hypercar

New 'track-focused' car will boast a 789bhp and active aerodynamics

McLaren P15
 
(Image credit: Alexander Klein/AFP/Getty Images)

McLaren has a new "track-focused road car" in the works to replace the ultra-rare P1 hypercar, according to Autocar.

It's believed the hypercar will use "a modified version of the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 that is at the heart of every McLaren road car on sale today", adds Autocar, paired to a "tweaked version" of the seven-speed automatic gearbox in the 720S. Power output will come in at around 789bhp - 62bhp more than the P1.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

The P15 is also tipped to be incredibly light. Motor1 says it will have a kerb weight less than 2,866lbs (1,300kg), making it roughly 544lbs (247kg) lighter than the P1.

There's no word on what body shape the P15 will take, but the website says it is set to boast "a massive front spoiler" and large rear wing. Active aerodynamics, which can be electronically manipulated by either the driver or the onboard computer, are also expected.

It is believed the P15 is different to the McLaren design sketch released earlier this year of a possible successor to its 1990s three-seat F1 hypercar. That vehicle is is expected to be a "hyper-GT" with a heavy emphasis on hybrid power.

Potential buyers will have a private viewing of the P15 at the end of the year, says Jalopnik, before its officially unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show next March.

Explore More