Thursday 6th September 2012

Mega McLaren for Paris

'P12' teaser image released ahead of Paris debut

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This photo doesn't reveal much, does it? However, it's all we've been provided with by Ron and his team at Mclaren to illustrate what will feature at its Paris Motor Show stand later this month.

Paris is the first international motor show for McLaren Automotive, so it should provide something spectacular (though you expect it will be done in a suitably precise and exquisitely-engineered fashion...). Therefore, whilst the revised 2013 MP4-12C and new Spider variant will feature, all eyes will undoubtedly be focused on what appears here to be a new McLaren flagship, a successor to the insert-superlative-here F1 and widely referred to as the P12.

We can only speculate as McLaren is refusing to reveal anything concrete. It has only so far confirmed that it will be "unveiling to the world its strategy to fast forward the world of automotive" in a press conference on September 27. Make of that what you will but the image provided, if you stare at it long enough, it does reveal a silhouette of a more dramatic car than the MP4.

If it is the new hypercar we believe it to be, the new McLaren will be powered by a modified version of the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 found in the MP4-12C. Combined with a KERS-style energy storage system, it could produce 750hp. Expect also a development of the existing McLaren's carbon Monocell structure.

However, we should stress again this is only what's rumoured. But if this McLaren unveiling is what it's believed to be, expect it to be the star of Paris.

[Greg 172]

Cor! Looks pretty curvy

Oh, and a bit Exige-y?

[kenno78]

What's with the nostrils?!

[Grey Ghost]

kenno78 said:

What's with the nostrils?!

I'm guessing that is the back of the car and they are exhaust ports of some sort. If you look close enough the "image" looks slimmer at the other end which I am assuming is the front.

[FourWheelDrift]

It appears to be on rails.

It's a sports train

[gofasterrosssco]

Grey Ghost said:

kenno78 said:

What's with the nostrils?!

I'm guessing that is the back of the car and they are exhaust ports of some sort. If you look close enough the "image" looks slimmer at the other end which I am assuming is the front.

No way thats the rear - you can just about see a bonnet / bumper line, front lights and the start of the 'canopy'.. Front vents mibbies...

[Vocal Minority]

Grey Ghost said:

I'm guessing that is the back of the car and they are exhaust ports of some sort. If you look close enough the "image" looks slimmer at the other end which I am assuming is the front.

I would say that looks like the front personally

[tinkertaylor]

I can make out the lights, bonnet etc - looks a bit like this if you scrunch your eyes

[motor mad]

I saw a McLaren mule yesterday being driven near Woking. Either that or the careless drive had run over numerous bin bags.

[FourWheelDrift]

Has Lewis Tweeted a better photo yet?

[LotusOmega375D]

Here it is in all its glory....

[garypotter]

LotusOmega375D said:

Here it is in all its glory....

Glory - looks more like a throw back to the 70s.

Ps the picture realeased of the new car reminds me of the last night i slept in a tent!!

[CraigyMc]

garypotter said:

LotusOmega375D said:

Here it is in all its glory....

Glory - looks more like a throw back to the 70s.

Ps the picture realeased of the new car reminds me of the last night i slept in a tent!!

That's a Yamaha OX-11.

[LotusOmega375D]

CraigyMc said:

garypotter said:

LotusOmega375D said:

Here it is in all its glory....

Glory - looks more like a throw back to the 70s.

Ps the picture realeased of the new car reminds me of the last night i slept in a tent!!

That's a Yamaha OX-11.

I know that and you know that, but does Ron Dennis know that?

[struttob]

If you drop it into photoshop and play around with the levels you can see quite a good image - we are looking at the front. Quite a bit of Exige in there !

BOB

If I get more time later I will try and drop an image in here

[DanDC5]

struttob said:

If you drop it into photoshop and play around with the levels you can see quite a good image - we are looking at the front. Quite a bit of Exige in there !

BOB

If I get more time later I will try and drop an image in here

Please do

[TheVole]

Can't help being reminded of the Ascari by the shape of the lights and what you can see of the front bumper/splitter etc.

[Crusoe]

[bicycleshorts]

Crusoe said:

Thanks for that! Looks pretty nice, though I'd guess the nose is too low?

[Teocali]

Grey Ghost said:

kenno78 said:

What's with the nostrils?!

I'm guessing that is the back of the car and they are exhaust ports of some sort. If you look close enough the "image" looks slimmer at the other end which I am assuming is the front.

I think we all know what that is above the McLaren badge, copied from a certain PH member :

[dinkel]

LotusOmega375D said:

CraigyMc said:

garypotter said:

LotusOmega375D said:

Here it is in all its glory....

Glory - looks more like a throw back to the 70s.

Ps the picture realeased of the new car reminds me of the last night i slept in a tent!!

That's a Yamaha OX-11.

I know that and you know that, but does Ron Dennis know that?

It would be absolutely glorious to have a road car with an F1 engine in.