An 8-cylinder McLaren available soon?

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Car and Driver revealed that McLaren is grooming a V8, roadster version of the MP4-12C, scheduled to come out later this year.

Geoff Grose, Head of Vehicle Development at McLaren said the new 3.8-litre V8 – which produces 593 horsepower – found in the roadster MP4-12C will be used "in more than one car".

Photo: McLaren Automotive

The new power-plant came from a (long, strenuous and expensive) collaborative effort from McLaren and Britain's Ricardo engineering firm. The hype hype it triggered has most likely killed projects of a V12. Undoubtedly, McLaren engineers, given their race expertise, will have no problem tap all the power they need of the 8-cylinder engine for future projects.

Which means the successor of the famed F1 that McLaren has been talking about could be powered by this same V8. A concept car for the said replacement may come out as early as this year, but is more likely to been seen first early in 2013.


Source: Car and Driver