It has been revealed that McLaren is planning a new version of the McLaren F1 (above).
When Ron Dennis announced he was giving up running the McLaren F1 team, he said it was exactly the opposite of retirement. In fact, he said he’d be busier than ever. Well, we have known about the McLaren P11 project for some time – the LP560-4/F450 competitor – and we brought you news a little while ago about a small McLaren to take on the likes of the Porsche 911 and Audi R8, but now comes the news that McLaren are planning on building a replacement for the legendary McLaren F1.
The McLaren F1 was, and in many eyes still is, the ultimate supercar. Conceived in the early ’90s, and brought to the world in 1994, the F1 held the supercar crown for years, and is still considered by many to be the greatest of all time. Yes, it’s lost its ‘Fastest Production Car’ tag to the Bugatti Veyron (and all the others ‘Production’ cars that claim the crown), but is still the fastest naturally aspirated car ever made.
The original F1 was designed by Gordon Murray, who has now gone on to do his own thing with GMD and the T25 city car, but McLaren hired Frank Stephenson to spearhead McLaren’s design future for its road cars, and it is Stephenson who has revealed that McLaren are pushing ahead with an F1 replacement.
The original McLaren F1 was powered by a specially made BMW V12, but this time it looks like McLaren intends using a very tweaked and modified version of Mercedes’ 6.2 litre V8 which, if the new generation F1 is half as nimble as the original should give scintillating performance. Remember, this is the same engine that in unmodified form propels the two ton E63 AMG to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. In a new McLaren F1 we should see that drop in to the mid to high 2 seconds.
Frank Stephenson says he’s starting from scratch with the F1’s design, but I’m sure he will throw more than a passing nod to its predecessor. Look out Bugatti. Look out Koenigsegg!
Greg House says
(14 months later)
I agree with Murray when he says that there’s no point in comparing the F1 to the MP4-12C.
It’s like comparing a Formula 1 car from the mid-90s to a 2010 Super GT… 2 somewhat similar, yet significantly different design philosophies/requirements.
Personally, I think the F1 is as close as it gets to the “ultimate road car”, and I’d definitely choose it over the MP4-12C.
Don’t get me wrong, the MP4-12C is an excellent supercar with outstanding performance and features, but you just can’t beat the centered driver’s position (which, if you think about it, really is the ONLY way to place the driver’s weight properly), higher power-to-weight-ratio from a naturally aspirated V12 (kerb weight of car just over 1 tonne), 6-speed manual gearbox (sorry, I’m not a big fan of (semi-)automatics)), active aerodynamics, etc.
…The list goes on and on. There’s even an reason for the lack of traction-control and assisted braking/steering: Murray didn’t want any gimmicks that interfered with the driving feel.
The F1 is, without a doubt, a master-piece. I’d even go so far to say it is one of the greatest Engineering achievements of the 20th century.
CarsUK says
Agree with you all that the MP4-12C can’t be compared to the F!. That’s because it’s a completely different car. The F1 was a Hypercar. It cost £650k in the mid 90s. They sold only 64 road cars (although they had planned more, they just weren’t selling – hard to believe now) and the F1 was designed to be the ultimate road car.
By contrast, the MP4-12C is a Supercar. It will be built in the thousands. It will go head to head with cars like the 458 and Gallardo. Despite the intervening years it is less than a third the price of an F1. It is a mainstream supercar.
There IS a replacement for the F1 in the planning. But we won’t see that for another three or four years. We will also see a McLaren that sits below the MP4-12C. A car to take on the 911s and R8s.
Gavynn says
What does AMG have to do with the F1 Replacment.Gordon Murray who designed the F1 said that there was no point copmaring the MP4-12C to the F1.Thats because it is not his master pirece.Also it replaced his master piece and is better than his master piece.
Gavynn says
The Mclaren F1 replacemnet is called the MP4-12C.It will not have a 6.2 l AMG V8.It will have a 3.8L Twin Turbo M838T V8 made by Mclaren Automotive themselves not From AMG.It will have the highest Horsepower to CO2 Ratio of any car.With Class beating CO2 emisions and Fuel Efficiency.With a Carbon Monocell that is stronger than any chassis and lighter.It s the first car to use a single hallow piece of Carbon Fibre Structure.With a 7-Speed Seamless Shift Dual Clutch Gear Box equiped with Pre-Cog.The Pre-Cog allows you to pull the paddle half to make the engine ready for the next gear then when you reach the redline pull the paddle fully it will execute faster gear changes because of Pre-Cog.The Mclaren F1 weighed 1,140 kgs this car weighs 1,300 kgs although it has a light structure and smaller engine.The redline is 8500 rpm 80% of the Torque is available below 2,000 rpm.Just like Mclaren F1 it has Airbrake.Unile the Mclaren F1 it’s interior has just 2 seats and new styled interior.
Muhammad Bilal. says
Assalam – O – Alakium, Hello Hi, MCLAREN F1, Beautifull Sport Car Is Very So Quit Car. Thanks All Sports Car Maneger.
Jeremiah Yearick says
This is the greatest car of all time being remade from scratch why?Its already arguably the most beautiful car ever made The only thing that is needed for more performance is higher spring rates to flatten cornering,and a little more power just think a compound turbo turbo system in the original would easily produce 1100 BHP with proper internals and higher rated carbon 3 disc clutch it would be untouchable. McLaren if your reading this please do it right or you will ruin the greatest road going car of all time tread with caution an admirer Jeremiah Yearick
Muhammad Bilal says
Excelent Car.