Photo: f1_rosso2007 on Instagram
Update: Due to a copyright matter, we had to remove the two images of the McLaren prototype. Until we get our keyboards on other revealing photos, we replaced them with the camouflage-including pic you can see here, which comes from Instagram user f1_rosso2007. Note that we also changed the title accordingly.
McLaren seems to have gone for a calculated vulnerability scheme for introducing its next supercar to the world - the prototype of the P14-codenamed successor for the 650S has been driven around fully naked and now we have the first spyshots for you.
The go-fast machine has been spotted in the South of Spain and we'll tip our lens to McLaren Life forum user Peloton25 for these revealing images.
Frank Stephenson, the British automaker's design director, has already let it slip that the upcoming model would "raise eyebrows" and come up with design solutions that would make other companies wonder why they had missed out on such innovations.
Moving to the side of the 650S successor, we notice racing-inspired "pods" that channel the air. More importantly, a small set of intakes is all this prototype seems to need - the massive, air-hungry intakes almost all supercars pack on their sides are absent. Rumos has it these were replaced with an underbody air intake.
The rear of the P14 seems to be its most polarizing part. The engine deck is overly complex, demonstrating that McLaren was not kidding when it said engineers and designers worked closely together, instead of following the stereotypical contradiction model, from the first moment the project kicked off.
McLaren currently has the most aggressive rear ends on the supercar market and the next-gen design seems to build on this. Overly slim light clusters, gaping vents and the company's now-traditional high-sitting tailpipes all meet. The Air Brake also seems to be present, taking on a complicated form. However, the lower area of the rear fascia seems like it still needs plenty of work until reaching production trim.
Woking has already confirmed the P14 will also feature a hybrid powertrain, but this will arrive later on in the supercar's life cycle. The rumor mill talks about a marriage involving a new V6 engine and limited electric power (the internal combustion dominance follows the recipe of the P1), while the gas-electric model will probably get its own body derivative and custom designation.
The 650S successor has been confirmed to debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2017 in March, which explains the extrovert approach we see here.
Frank Stephenson, the British automaker's design director, has already let it slip that the upcoming model would "raise eyebrows" and come up with design solutions that would make other companies wonder why they had missed out on such innovations.
The styling details
While we're obviously not dealing with the final design here, there are a few important bits we need to focus on. As you can see, the P14 appears to be squinting, with the sharper "eyes" being here thanks to LED technology advances that allow for superior light density. Thus, Woking was able to integrate aerodynamic solutions within the headlight assembly, while delivering a super-sleek design.Moving to the side of the 650S successor, we notice racing-inspired "pods" that channel the air. More importantly, a small set of intakes is all this prototype seems to need - the massive, air-hungry intakes almost all supercars pack on their sides are absent. Rumos has it these were replaced with an underbody air intake.
The rear of the P14 seems to be its most polarizing part. The engine deck is overly complex, demonstrating that McLaren was not kidding when it said engineers and designers worked closely together, instead of following the stereotypical contradiction model, from the first moment the project kicked off.
McLaren currently has the most aggressive rear ends on the supercar market and the next-gen design seems to build on this. Overly slim light clusters, gaping vents and the company's now-traditional high-sitting tailpipes all meet. The Air Brake also seems to be present, taking on a complicated form. However, the lower area of the rear fascia seems like it still needs plenty of work until reaching production trim.
OK, but what about the powaaah?
The Brits plan to further differentiate their Super Series (650S, 675LT, MSO HS) from the entry-level Sports Series (540C, 570S, 570 GT). So, while the P14 will pack an upgraded version of the Ricardo-supplied twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 found on all McLaren models since the carmaker's road vehicle return in 2011, expect the engine to deliver at least 700 horses. And if the carmaker continues its hp-inspired nomenclature, the P14's actual name with obviously start with a "7".Woking has already confirmed the P14 will also feature a hybrid powertrain, but this will arrive later on in the supercar's life cycle. The rumor mill talks about a marriage involving a new V6 engine and limited electric power (the internal combustion dominance follows the recipe of the P1), while the gas-electric model will probably get its own body derivative and custom designation.
The 650S successor has been confirmed to debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2017 in March, which explains the extrovert approach we see here.
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