McLaren’s road car renaissance roared into life with the arrival of the 12C supercar back in 2009. The 12C was the first of a handful of models that would eventually form what McLaren calls the Super Series, referred to internally as P11. Existing Super Series models like the 650S and the latest 675LT all trace their roots back to the original 12C, but McLaren is hard at work developing its next-generation Super Series range, the first member of which we should see in 2018.
According to Autocar, the next-generation Super Series range is referred to internally as P14. P12 was the P1-centric Ultimate Series and P13 was the entry-level Sports Series range. The first P14 member is said to be a replacement for the 650S.
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The car will be built around a carbon fiber tub and draw its power from a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-8 engine, just like the 650S, and its peak output will almost certainly exceed the 641 horsepower of the 650S. We may even see the new model outmatch the 666-hp 675LT. Performance targets are said to include a 0-62 mph time of less than 3.0 seconds and a top speed in excess of 205 mph.
The P14 range is also said to further McLaren’s design strategy. Chief designer Frank Stephenson told Autocar that the P14 will be “even crazier” than the P1, though some signature McLaren styling cues like the side intake and front bumper designs will remain. The new look is said to lay the groundwork for multiple next-generation McLarens.
Following the launch of the 650S replacement, McLaren will likely add an open-top Spider version. It’s not clear what other additions there will be to the P14 range but expect a detuned version with a C in its title as well as a hardcore, track-focused version to succeed the 675LT.
Before the arrival of the P14 range, McLaren will add more members to its Sports Series range including a more practical version as well as an open-top Spider. We may also see a new addition made to the flagship Ultimate Series range. Beyond the P14 range will be a more extreme offering, internally referred to as P15. This model, or series of models, will help fill the void between the range-topping Super Series model (675LT) and the entry-level Ultimate Series model (P1).
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