Photo: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
About three weeks ago, one of our readers sent us some photos of what looked like a rather peculiar McLaren prototype. Our conclusion at the time was the images depicted the Spider version of the 675 LT, which McLaren initially denied that it would sport an open top version.
According to Dutch media, the British supercar act has since revised the initial decision, although nothing official has been confirmed as of yet.
That said, we would also like to revise our initial reporting on this mysterious McLaren prototype, especially since our spy photographers have since sent us a fresh batch of images with the same model.
If you look closely, the car does appear to boast the same design features as all the other roadsters in the McLaren range, but most of the car looks like a mix between a 650S, a 675 LT, and the now-defunct 12C.
The rear end, for example, is quasi-identical to that of the McLaren 650S and 12C, which makes us think this prototype is actually a testing mule. Yes, but testing what?
Most opinions incline towards the not-yet-confirmed 675 LT Spider, but there are also voices whispering that it could be a mule testing an upcoming replacement for the McLaren Super Series range, which currently includes the 650S and the already sold-out 675 LT.
Not trying to swim against the current here, but the second option makes a bit more sense. If McLaren had indeed decided to offer a Spider version of the 675 LT, why would it go through all the trouble of fitting a pre-production prototype with the rear end from an older model? Some simple clip-on camouflage and some duct tape would have been enough to fool onlookers.
Don't quote us on this, but if we were to bet, we'd say that the odd model caught by our collaborating spy photographers is powered by a downsized version of the same powertrain found underneath the P1 bodywork (read: hybrid).
McLaren has long been hinting that all its future supercars will switch to an electric-assisted layout, and the company has surely learned a lot from all the hybrid P1 and P1 GTRs it sold. If our hunch is correct, expect to start seeing more of this model testing in the upcoming months.
The truth should emerge sometime in 2016 when McLaren should retire this mule and substitute it with a Super Series replacement that wears a production body underneath the camouflage. Time will tell if that happens, but what is known for sure is that the Brits are readying a new supercar.
That said, we would also like to revise our initial reporting on this mysterious McLaren prototype, especially since our spy photographers have since sent us a fresh batch of images with the same model.
If you look closely, the car does appear to boast the same design features as all the other roadsters in the McLaren range, but most of the car looks like a mix between a 650S, a 675 LT, and the now-defunct 12C.
The rear end, for example, is quasi-identical to that of the McLaren 650S and 12C, which makes us think this prototype is actually a testing mule. Yes, but testing what?
Most opinions incline towards the not-yet-confirmed 675 LT Spider, but there are also voices whispering that it could be a mule testing an upcoming replacement for the McLaren Super Series range, which currently includes the 650S and the already sold-out 675 LT.
Not trying to swim against the current here, but the second option makes a bit more sense. If McLaren had indeed decided to offer a Spider version of the 675 LT, why would it go through all the trouble of fitting a pre-production prototype with the rear end from an older model? Some simple clip-on camouflage and some duct tape would have been enough to fool onlookers.
Don't quote us on this, but if we were to bet, we'd say that the odd model caught by our collaborating spy photographers is powered by a downsized version of the same powertrain found underneath the P1 bodywork (read: hybrid).
McLaren has long been hinting that all its future supercars will switch to an electric-assisted layout, and the company has surely learned a lot from all the hybrid P1 and P1 GTRs it sold. If our hunch is correct, expect to start seeing more of this model testing in the upcoming months.
The truth should emerge sometime in 2016 when McLaren should retire this mule and substitute it with a Super Series replacement that wears a production body underneath the camouflage. Time will tell if that happens, but what is known for sure is that the Brits are readying a new supercar.
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