McLaren P8 supercar back on track
 

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Not so Fast: McLaren P8 supercar back on track

McLaren’s new 6.3-liter V8-powered mid-engine supercar has been granted a surprise reprieve, despite partner Mercedes-Benz officially severing ties with the project earlier this year.

The new two-seater, codenamed P8 (AW, Feb. 23, 2004), is now being engineered exclusively by McLaren, which plans to oversee remaining development work before placing the sleek supercar into production alongside the front-engine Mercedes SLR at its factory in England—all with the blessing of Mercedes-Benz, according to high-ranking McLaren insiders.

News of the P8’s resurrection comes after recent comments from Mercedes-Benz boss Eckhard Cordes indicating the Ferrari-fighting supercar had been abandoned as part of a broad-based cost-cutting program that has seen the German manufacturer refocus its attention on core models in a bid to boost profitability (AW, Jan. 3).

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AutoWeek sources say the P8, which was originally intended to slot into the Mercedes lineup between the SL55 AMG and SLR, will now be sold under the McLaren name, as with the company’s earlier F1. Initial estimates put its price around $200,000, though it remains to be seen whether McLaren can hold the new car at this level.

McLaren insiders confirm development of the P8 is continuing, but not at the same pace as originally planned. “It is being engineered using the original Mercedes-Benz components. The mechanical aspect is fixed. We’re already in the testing phase.”

Though McLaren seems determined to go it alone, the P8 is expected to use a high percentage of standard Mercedes-Benz components, including a new naturally aspirated 6.3-liter V8 engine from the German carmaker’s AMG skunkworks.

A development of today’s 90-degree 5.4-liter V8, both the bore and stroke have been increased to achieve the additional displacement. Power is said to peak at more than 500 hp with torque swelling to in excess of 443 lb-ft.

Secrecy surrounds the deal struck between McLaren and Mercedes for the development, production and sale of the P8, though suggestions are Mercedes may be secretly funding the project in a bid to negate any negative sentiment surrounding the launch of a flamboyant supercar at the same time it goes about restructuring other aspects of its business.

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I thought they give up this project. Wasn't there a thread somewhere saying that McLaren suspended Mercedes related projects??

Hence the title of the topic :roll:

I'm not sure about this. The SLR is near a failure, and i don't trust Mercedes & Mclaren to stay friends after disputes on the SLR and it's specification :? However, it would be great to see a smaller, cheaper McMerc :)

It not going to be a McMerc by the looks of things - thats the whole point.

I suspect the rights etc to the car and design were held my mclaren and mercedes but now have been transferred solely to McLaren - by the sounds of it the ONLY thing mercedes are doing is letting AMG supply the engine.

If so we should look forward to one of the best cars released since the F1 ^^ :D Best news i've heard all year if i've interpreted it correctly :D

i thought McLaren had learned their lesson. Are they out of money? Why else would they team up with Merc. I wish they teammed up with BMW really. Stupid MERCs. At least this P8 doesnt look similar to the rest of the merc cars.

EDIT - @ mindgam3 - “It is being engineered using the original Mercedes-Benz components." this is tha part that doesnt let me think like you interpreted it. If it were ONLY the engine, probably OK, but components mean more than engine from what I understand.

Well either way it sounds, whatever components its got in it, its not being branded as a merc which suggests to me that merc are only funding it and supplying small parts - not having a say in the actual design; guess we'll find out fairly soon though

If it does come out, it will look nothing like the pictures. I mean... look at it. It likes like the GM hi-wire or whatever it was called that was on top gear that one time.

/\ Hope it looks nothing like the pictures... is it just me or does the front look suspiciously like a veyron/murc mix?

i dont know, but i think it looks hot. Its better than the SLR anyday. I wish they came out with a successor to the f1 car.

There have been some rumours indicating the rebirth. As far as I know, Road and Track has recently provided a scoop containing a few words about a "1000hp successor to the F1 to rival the veyron". But that was before the shift away from MB.

I hope you are right too :D

How much do you guys want to bet, that right in the middle of this car's development, once Merc smells a demand (*cough*profit*cough*) they'll step right in again and fuck the whole project up? ;)

If McLaren wants to do a supercars, they will need to do it alone and completely from themselves. Mercedes are used to sell cars to rich people who cares about look and hp. A supercar is about weight/hp ratio, suspention, etc.

^Except for one key facet: financing. Mclaren is highly dependent on MB for the mulah (and all the correlary supports that it offers) in order to produce a car. Remember that the Mclaren F1, from an economic standpoint, was hardly a success.

My impression: 1) glad they got this project back online - more competition in that upper echelon region of car manufacturing means better products, more articles, more videos, better stuff for we fans. 2) it better not look anything like that picture - talk about ugly (imo). hopefully McL taking over the project means a complete overhaul of the aesthetics too.

Well all I can hope is that McLaren are thinking in showing Bugatti how things are done. I mean after sooo much 1001 hp propaganda and the car weighn soo darn much, it would be a great way for McLaren to come back to the supercar area showing everyone else what a 1000 + hp car, weighing much less than the bugatti, can do. Its the perfect time to build it!