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McLaren MP4-12C Based Model To Rival Ferrari 458 Speciale
It is a fact that the McLaren MP4-12C is a wonderful car. Something that's been confirmed by almost everyone who's driven one. But that has not stopped McLaren from building several high performance version of the same car since its launch. Most of these are track day and race spec versions.
Hence, when Ferrari came out with the 458 Speciale, a high performance, road-going version of the 458 Italia, McLaren decided to do the same. Or At least, that's what company sources have informed AutocarUK.
Related: Ferrari 458 Speciale Images & Details
The said high performance road legal MP4-12C, however, will be a stand alone model that will sit above the regular car. Moreover, it will even look different than the car on which it will be based.
The new high performance car will use the same carbon fiber Monocell as the 12C and the same 3.8 liter twin turbo V8 engine, albeit in a modified form. While in the regular 12C the engine generates 616 HP, the tuned version will reportedly be capable of 650 HP, which is way more than the Ferrari 458 Speciale.
Expected to be offered as standard on the new car are carbon ceramic brakes, besides some other high performance modifications.
Coming back to the new car's modified design, according to the sources, the high performance 12C will bear resemblance to the McLaren P1. Particularly the front end. This is not a surprise considering the automaker is planning to turn it into a standalone car and all upcoming models from the Woking automaker will be influenced by the P1's design, including the other expected car, the entry level McLaren.
The incorporation of the new design is not merely to adopt the new face of McLaren. Instead, it has to do with improving aerodynamic performance, things that were learn't during the development of the P1.
Besides the exterior, the interior of the high performance 12C will also reportedly be upgraded.
The high performance version of the MP4-12C will be launched this year, according to the sources and will be vastly more powerful than the 597 bhp, 540 Nm torque £208,000 Ferrari 458 Speciale.
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