Source: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=145470

McLaren Reportedly Planning an F1 Successor

Date posted: 04-02-2009

WOKING, England — McLaren is reportedly looking to hoist the Union Jack in battle with supercar makers Bugatti and Koenigsegg with a planned successor to its legendary F1. The new high-tech car will be inspired by the new midengine P11. Even more exciting, it's planned to be the leading edge of an eventual full lineup of cutting-edge supercars that will be fully U.K. products.

A highly placed source gave Inside Line details of the top-secret plans, calling the project "a clean-sheet design." The project will be spearheaded by McLaren CEO Ron Dennis, who is focusing on the company's road-car operations now that he has walked away from daily direction of Formula 1 activities.

McLaren's new midengine P11, a competitor to the Ferrari 430 Scuderia and the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, will be the starting point for the new supercar. The future car is envisioned as competition in both no-compromise engineering and high price for the Bugatti Veyron and the Koenigsegg CCX. According to the source, it can be expected to be a worthy successor to the world-changing F1 that was designed by Gordon Murray and Peter Stevens and launched in 1991. The F1 had a 627-horsepower 6.1-liter V12 and a top speed claimed to be 240 mph. Only 65 "regular" F1s were sold.

A recent interview saw Dennis announce that McLaren has budgeted the equivalent of $366 million for its supercar program. IL's source says future cars will be built in much higher quantities than the F1 ever saw, saying, "The P11 is just the beginning."

Although McLaren reportedly has a goal to design, develop and build the models in the U.K., sources in Germany say McLaren may have come to an understanding with Mercedes-Benz, its Formula 1 partner, to re-engineer engines for the future cars.

Inside Line says: Something more to look forward to from McLaren. — Andreas Stahl, Correspondent

I hope their claim to " a worthy successor to the world-changing f1" is true. There'll never be another, but I'd like to see what they come up with. Not sure about the Mercedes engine though - I hope it's not another Zonda.....

It's an April Fools article I think.

I hope their claim to " a worthy successor to the world-changing f1" is true. There'll never be another, but I'd like to see what they come up with. Not sure about the Mercedes engine though - I hope it's not another Zonda.....

IMO Mercedes has never really made a "good" sounding road engine (case and point; Zonda), and engine sound is one of the top reasons I love the F1. Not to mention they probably could of pulled out a little more than 550hp from a 7.3L V12. But it's really the best option since Mercedes is McLaren's racing partner.

I wonder if they will retain the center-seat layout.
It was revolutionary (it still is), but I wonder if they want to change direction a little for the new millenia.

I also really hope, that they come up with something which are not exp. 5,5 litre supercharged V8 or something. It's only my oppinnion, if you make a supercar, it must have a big V12, no turbos, no compressors. Just basic big V12 enought power and torgue. Imagine Diablo with V8 engine or Countach douple turbo V6................................... Do you get the point? :D
Really hope it has more than 8 sylinders.

BUT anyway...there newer be another F1, never.