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Watch out Ferrari - McLaren's next-generation supercar is coming

Benjamin Zhang   

Watch out Ferrari - McLaren's next-generation supercar is coming
Tech2 min read

McLAren 650 S

McLaren

McLaren 650S.

On Wednesday, McLaren confirmed the existence of the long-awaited replacement for its Super Series supercars.

The McLaren Super Series launched in 2011 with the MP4-12C. This eventually evolved into the 650S and the limited production 675LT.

According to the Woking, England-based supercar maker, the new Super Series will make its global debut on March 7 at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

"Super Series is the core of the McLaren business and personifies the blend of extreme performance, crafted luxury and unparalleled driver involvement that is the McLaren heartland," McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt said in a statement.

Rumors of the new second generation McLaren supercar have been floating around the automotive press for a few months now - with spy shots of camouflaged test cars purporting to the be the new McLaren popping up with regularity.

Thus far, McLaren has not revealed many details about the new car. However, what information the company has let past the guard dogs certainly looks impressive.

McLaren MP4-12C

REUTERS/Kieran Doherty

McLaren MP4-12C.

To date, most of the intel available on the new Super Series has been centered on its ultra-lightweight, carbon-fiber tub, called Monocage II. According to McLaren, the new carbon-fiber structure makes the upcoming car better around the corners, easier to get in and out of while offering drivers better visibility.

Best of all, with the new Monocage, the second generation Super Series will be about 40 pounds lighter than its predecessor - tipping the scales at a lithe 2,828 pounds.

With Ferrari's introduction of the 661 horsepower, twin-turbocharged 488GTB in 2015, the supercar horsepower wars are in full swing. Even though McLaren has not released any details of its new engine, don't be shocked to see output well north of 700 horsepower.

McLaren Monocage II

McLaren

McLaren Monocage II.

The second generation Super Series is the first all-new product to emerge following the installation of McLaren's Track22 business plan last year. Under the plan, McLaren is expected to spend more than $1.2 billion in R&D by 2022. The result of this investment will be the launch of 15 all-new models or derivatives - half of which will feature hybrid technology.

The Super Series occupies the heart of McLaren's lineup, while the company's new Sports Series serves as the brand's entry level option. At the top of McLaren's lineup is the Ultimate Series, made up of multi-million dollar hyper cars such as the P1.

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