Anticipation is high on the debut of the new Mclaren codenamed P11 and these are the latest spy shots of the newest supercar doing some high-speed testing on the Nurburgring Nordscheife track.
As all test cars under development, the P11 is hidden under some very elaborate camouflage so it’s still hard to say how the car will end up looking but judging from the overall shape, the front bumper, and the large gill-like air intakes, the new Mclaren promises some serious performance.
The P11 will be solely developed by Mclaren to replace the SLR, a project not undertaken since the original F1 of the 90s. It’s predictably a mid-engine, two-seater supercar with a top-mounted exhaust system and it’s set to become the closest competitor to Ferrari’s own upcoming 458 Italia and the Lamborghini Gallardo.
According to our source, power will likely come from a Mercedes sourced V8 engine with something in the range of about 550hp coupled to an F1-derived sequential gearbox. Mclaren has previously voiced its intentions to make its car more environmentally friendly and this could possibly set the stage for the introduction of a Formula One like Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS).
Mclaren plans to produce 1,000 P11’s in 2011 and perhaps more with each passing year. No debut date has yet been mentioned.
Source: WorldCarFans