Is that V12 the greatest bit of the McLaren F1? Quite possibly, the 627hp powerhouse up there with the finest engines ever produced and certainly one of
Paul Rosche
Today comes the news that McLaren and the BMW Group are collaborating again, this time on "new combustion technology" that will increase specific output as well as improve efficiency. Though led by McLaren, this project involves four more partners in addition to BMW: Ricardo (existing McLaren engine partners), Lentus Composites, Grainger and Worrall and the University of Bath. It's also being part funded by the Government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre.
CEO Mike Flewitt said of the tie-up: "This is an exciting project that plays to the strengths of all partners... We will continue to independently design and build our own engines, and the benefits of this project will help us accelerate the development of our next generation of powertrain." BMW is of course already well invested in hybrid technology both in the mainstream and performance markets, plus Ricardo has experience of the P1 project. Could McLaren be the first to bring the hybrid hypercar tech to the supercar mainstream? Fingers crossed!!
