RE: Next McLaren Ultimate Series rumoured
Saturday 29th July 2017
Nothing is official yet, OK? And even if it does happen, the 'P15' will of course be extremely rare. But last time Autocar suggested another Ultimate Series McLaren was on the way, it became the BP23. So we're inclined to believe them again, particularly if the end result is as awesome as the speculation suggests.
Front can change a lot if you don't need a boot...You know how a McLaren P1 is a bit meek, a bit heavy, and not all that great on track? Each of those concerns is to be addressed with the P15. Alright, so we're being a tad silly, but the premise of the P15 is as that facetious statement suggests: it's described as a "track weapon", with bodywork only where required and a power-to-weight ratio beyond a P1.
Any excuse to use this pic again, right?These are Autocar impressions of how the car might look, with the design said to have been signed off by new design director Rob Melville; prospective customers are likely to see the car later this year, ahead of the car being shown to the public at Geneva in 2018. Autocar's McLaren source said of the look: "This is the ultimate distillation of form following function. Whichever part of the car you look at, you will visually understand the function of the components."
Next McLaren Ultimate Series rumoured
Faster than a P1, V8 sans hybrid and limited to 500 - the 'P15' is set to be something incredible
Front can change a lot if you don't need a boot...
How so? No hybrid system. Instead the P15 will use the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 - can we call it 'venerable' yet? - with around 800hp but crucially a kerbweight of below 1,300kg; a P1 is nearer 1,500kg. Moreover it's set to be more stripped out than the P1, with two seats about as far as practical concerns stretch. There won't be any luggage space, excess bodywork or concessions to everyday usability, though the P15 will remain road legal.
Advances made since the P1's introduction will help as well, with MonoCage II - as seen in the 720S - to be used for the P15, saving precious kilos from the structure. The latest evolution of the dual-clutch gearbox from the latest Super Series car will also be employed. Beyond that active aero is likely to feature significantly at the front and rear of the P15; can't let Lamborghini have all the fun now...
Any excuse to use this pic again, right?
All sounds rather exciting. Autocar is already suggesting 'ring lap times and GTR variants, but we'll proceed a little more cautiously for now. A price? If you're eligible you've probably already been contacted, though for the moment somewhere around £850,000 is being suggested. More news as and when we have it...
[Source: Autocar]
Discussion
I find I am getting slightly 'meh' about all these hypercars. Le Faf, Chiron, 918, Pagani, Rimac.......
Not specifically this one. I am sure it will be fantastic, slightly dearer, slightly quicker, slightly stiffer, slightly lighter, slightly more of everything. But where does this leave us?
I think I am lost on this performance. It just cant be used by anyone. The cost in tyres, depreciation, etc on track is mahoosive, and the chance to use on the road is non existent.
Whats it for? Willy waving. But I dont think the manufacturers know how to get out of this escalating cycle of power and speed.
Meh. Where do I hand in my PH badge?
Not specifically this one. I am sure it will be fantastic, slightly dearer, slightly quicker, slightly stiffer, slightly lighter, slightly more of everything. But where does this leave us?
I think I am lost on this performance. It just cant be used by anyone. The cost in tyres, depreciation, etc on track is mahoosive, and the chance to use on the road is non existent.
Whats it for? Willy waving. But I dont think the manufacturers know how to get out of this escalating cycle of power and speed.
Meh. Where do I hand in my PH badge?
Huh. I can't help but think it's a backwards step to remove the hybrid parts of the powertrain if indeed that is what they're going to go. I understand why they want to do it, and I'm sure it'll be a staggeringly talented car but I very much liked the forward thinking nature of the electric and petrol engine combination.
I'll never be able to afford one though so I highly doubt McLaren give a toss about my opinion. They'll sell every one they can make
I'll never be able to afford one though so I highly doubt McLaren give a toss about my opinion. They'll sell every one they can make
leglessAlex said:
Huh. I can't help but think it's a backwards step to remove the hybrid parts of the powertrain if indeed that is what they're going to go. I understand why they want to do it, and I'm sure it'll be a staggeringly talented car but I very much liked the forward thinking nature of the electric and petrol engine combination.
...
I agree upto a point, the problem is that the Super Series 720s is so good, and so close to the P1 in performance terms, that nearly all the benefits of the P1's hybrid power were lost by the extra weight it added. ...
The Surveyor said:
leglessAlex said:
Huh. I can't help but think it's a backwards step to remove the hybrid parts of the powertrain if indeed that is what they're going to go. I understand why they want to do it, and I'm sure it'll be a staggeringly talented car but I very much liked the forward thinking nature of the electric and petrol engine combination.
...
I agree upto a point, the problem is that the Super Series 720s is so good, and so close to the P1 in performance terms, that nearly all the benefits of the P1's hybrid power were lost by the extra weight it added. ...
The Surveyor said:
I'd be surprised if they don't use a tuned version of the 720s's 4.0 V8 rather than the 3.8, but it looks exciting as a new halo model for the line-up.
They're probably saving it until the standard 3.8 model had sold out, and then they unveil a surprise limited edition 4.0LT version and sell them all to the same people 
Cant help but applaud McLaren taking on the established big boys in this way.
But I can't help think of the phrase 'it's about the journey, not the destination'; if that were to hold true then I'd drive along aimlessly without ever really arriving anywhere, as getting to my destination without the wherewithal to have a change of clothes just doesn't compute.
Imagine driving from rural Derbyshire to the Goodwood Revival; the choice would be to either turn up in 'normal' clothes and be a bit out of place, or dress in period clothes and turn up looking like last Fridays crumpled chip wrapper.
As an aside, today's news that the government is set to ban new diesel and petrol cars from 2040 throws up the question of why McL have ditched the hybrid ability for this car (if that IS correct), as it would appear that we may be mirroring other countries in banning fossil-fuelled cars from then.
But I can't help think of the phrase 'it's about the journey, not the destination'; if that were to hold true then I'd drive along aimlessly without ever really arriving anywhere, as getting to my destination without the wherewithal to have a change of clothes just doesn't compute.
Imagine driving from rural Derbyshire to the Goodwood Revival; the choice would be to either turn up in 'normal' clothes and be a bit out of place, or dress in period clothes and turn up looking like last Fridays crumpled chip wrapper.
As an aside, today's news that the government is set to ban new diesel and petrol cars from 2040 throws up the question of why McL have ditched the hybrid ability for this car (if that IS correct), as it would appear that we may be mirroring other countries in banning fossil-fuelled cars from then.
Dynamic Space Wizard said:
They're probably saving it until the standard 3.8 model had sold out, and then they unveil a surprise limited edition 4.0LT version and sell them all to the same people
I don't like saying it but this will be basically a pretty similar car underneath to a 720S. Obviously there's quite a bit of engineering to do to get the car to hold on to its 850 PS vs 720 PS but a £650,000 premium before options is a heck of a lot to pay for the extra performance the P15 will have. Kudos to Mclaren. Another £500,000,000 of cash in for selling a super duper version of the 720 S which is itself sold out for next 18 months. Make hay whilst you can guys 
Dempsey1971 said:
I find I am getting slightly 'meh' about all these hypercars. Le Faf, Chiron, 918, Pagani, Rimac.......
Not specifically this one. I am sure it will be fantastic, slightly dearer, slightly quicker, slightly stiffer, slightly lighter, slightly more of everything. But where does this leave us?
I think I am lost on this performance. It just cant be used by anyone. The cost in tyres, depreciation, etc on track is mahoosive, and the chance to use on the road is non existent.
Whats it for? Willy waving. But I dont think the manufacturers know how to get out of this escalating cycle of power and speed.
Meh. Where do I hand in my PH badge?
Have to agree with this i'm afraidNot specifically this one. I am sure it will be fantastic, slightly dearer, slightly quicker, slightly stiffer, slightly lighter, slightly more of everything. But where does this leave us?
I think I am lost on this performance. It just cant be used by anyone. The cost in tyres, depreciation, etc on track is mahoosive, and the chance to use on the road is non existent.
Whats it for? Willy waving. But I dont think the manufacturers know how to get out of this escalating cycle of power and speed.
Meh. Where do I hand in my PH badge?
G0ldfysh said:
Naming convention to compete with Ferrari launching the FXXK.
Will be followed shortly by the limited edition P15S, and finally the P15SR
Don't forget also that Lanzante will take the 'track only' version and convert back into road-legal spec as the LM edition (which will, weirdly, prove to be faster around the Nurburgring than McLaren's own efforts)!Will be followed shortly by the limited edition P15S, and finally the P15SR
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