New McLaren F1 spies

Our spies have caught the new 800bhp V8-powered McLaren F1 hypercar testing

We caught this McLaren prototype undergoing testing in Germany – and it could be the much-rumoured hypercar replacement for the original F1.

These are the first pictures of the new ‘Enzo’ and Porsche 918 Spyder rival, which will sit way above the MP4-12C.

It looks like the MP4-12C, but our photographer was alerted by the heavy disguise at the rear. You can see the rear overhang is shorter, the roofline drops down more sharply – like a jet fighter canopy – and the rear wings are more curved, without the MP4-12C’s high tail. The biggest hint, though, is the huge single centre exit exhaust system.

The new F1 is rumoured to feature a 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with an F1-style kinetic energy recovery system (KERS), to give up to 800bhp. The KERS boost is likely to be accessed by a ‘push-to-pass’-style button on the steering wheel. The car is set to be revealed later this year, and will cost around £700,000.

Before then, McLaren will launch an open-top MP4-12C Spider.

Photos: autoscoop.biz via autoexpress

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