The McLaren F1 will be honored with a new model that is already being designed

At the start of the 1990s, the partnership between designer Gordon Murray and McLaren resulted in one of the best cars in history, a true icon that remains an object of desire to this day for any petrolhead. Its value keeps rising every year, but its high cost and the small number of units built mean it is not within everyone’s reach. That car is the McLaren F1.

When production began, the McLaren F1 was a true revolution, something that became evident the moment it first took to the road. Its original BMW engine was a 6,100 cc V12 that delivered 635 CV of power, making it at the time the fastest series-production vehicle in the world, with 391 km/h. This title was not taken away until 2004, when the Koenigsegg CCR appeared, although even today it remains the fastest naturally aspirated car in the world.

It incorporated solutions such as its monocoque carbon fibre chassis, and it also had numerous components made from other exclusive materials such as Kevlar, titanium or magnesium. Its dihedral doors offered a more comfortable entry for its occupants, who could be two passengers seated at the sides and set further back than the driver, who sat in the centre of the cabin.

The achievements of the McLaren F1 in its racing version, along with the endless praise it has received and will continue to receive, will be difficult to surpass for any McLaren vehicle. But a factory with so much history cannot afford to feel intimidated, and the challenge McLaren has set itself will be exciting for engineers and for those of us who love the world of motoring. The British have confirmed that their McLaren Special Operations division, in charge of pampering and personalising any vehicle from the firm, has set to work to create a worthy successor to the McLaren F1.

For now the secrecy is absolute, although the small details released let us get excited about what we will see very soon. We know it does not yet have a defined name, though it is currently known by the codename BP23. McLaren describes it as a hypercar, which will be capable of long journeys but will feature the solutions and advances expected of a car of such stature.

They also say it will be powered by a hybrid engine (of Honda origin?), which will make it one of the most powerful McLaren ever built, in addition to offering an exquisite level of design and finish. A real statement of intent. It will also introduce a novelty in the door opening: they will no longer be dihedral as in its vehicles until now, but their opening will extend up to the roof. I understand it will be a “gullwing” style opening like those fitted, for example, to the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

It will also share similarities with characteristics of the McLaren F1, such as the seating arrangement of the two passengers and the driver in the cabin and the number of units to be produced: 106 units will also be built. According to McLaren’s plans, this new model is expected to be unveiled in early 2019 and, in the meantime, we will have to make do with these details and the image heading this article, because until the date draws near everything will remain under wraps.

Source | McLaren