A New Three-Seat McLaren Is Finally Happening, But It's Not Quite What You'd Expect

A new three-seat hypercar might hark back to the McLaren F1, but the new project is set to take a softer, more relaxed approach to warp speed
A New Three-Seat McLaren Is Finally Happening, But It's Not Quite What You'd Expect

The long-rumoured three-seat McLaren is happening, the Woking outfit has confirmed, and we’re a bit excited.

Just 106 examples of the project codenamed BP23 will be built – not-at-all-coincidentally exactly the same number as were produced of the absolute 1990s legend, the F1. And just like in the F1, the driver will sit in the middle of the car with two passengers staggered to the side and behind the front seat.

The only teaser image released so far is an overhead design sketch, but the picture we featured back in July is one take on how the car could look.

Image: Autocar
Image: Autocar

This is no media over-exaggeration. ‘Bespoke Project 2 with 3 seats’ has been linked directly to the historic F1 by Mclaren CEO Mike Flewitt, who also confirmed the new car would wear carbonfibre panels and be designed more for elegance, luxury and long-distance cruising than maximum-attack mode on the track.

This ‘hyper-GT’ approach is an unusual one for the boys and girls at McLaren, who usually open a new model series with a focused sports car before branching off into more hardcore and more user-friendly derivatives. We can’t help but wonder whether BP23 is the start of a new model line or a change of tack post-Ron Dennis.

A New Three-Seat McLaren Is Finally Happening, But It's Not Quite What You'd Expect

It will still be one of the most powerful McLarens ever made, Flewitt says, with a lower-output hybrid drivetrain likely to be derived from that of the P1. Expect 200mph top speeds when the car is launched in 2019.

It will hang on to the McLaren signature (and awesome) dihedral doors, but all the switchgear will be unique to the car. The company’s Special Operations team will, obviously, assist each sickeningly rich buyer in personalising their car over and above the standard spec.

Want one? Join the queue. The only thing is… they’ve all been sold before the design has even been finalised. At a rumoured £2 million each. Wow.

Comments

Boris

If you thought threesomes are good try this one?

11/17/2016 - 11:39 |
296 | 2
Dat Boi

In reply to by Boris

Threesome is bestsome

11/17/2016 - 11:44 |
62 | 2
Anonymous

In reply to by Boris

[DELETED]

11/17/2016 - 12:08 |
0 | 0
......

no v12 doe

11/17/2016 - 11:56 |
10 | 0
Anonymous

Waits for Shmee150 to get his in either blue or purple.

11/17/2016 - 12:00 |
32 | 0
Toby Saunders

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Jay Leno probably already has 6

11/18/2016 - 09:56 |
10 | 0
Disklok

If one of you guys get one, let me know. I will personally buy you a Disklok if you let me drive it.

11/17/2016 - 12:10 |
190 | 6

Oh disklok, how your antics amuse me so.

11/17/2016 - 12:44 |
14 | 4

How can you drive it if it has a disklok in place?

11/17/2016 - 13:50 |
2 | 0
The S2K Guy

“softer, more relaxed approach to warp speed” What? You get served drinks while you go full speed?

11/17/2016 - 12:15 |
38 | 0
Anonymous

Looks like something out of Gta

11/17/2016 - 12:34 |
0 | 0
DabOfOppo

but ron ain’t in charge anymore :(

11/17/2016 - 12:37 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

[DELETED]

11/17/2016 - 13:44 |
0 | 6
Kuno Motorhead

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Nissan 420sx Please take care of this.

11/17/2016 - 13:56 |
2 | 0
Thundershark777

The F1 still looks modern, simply great!

11/17/2016 - 14:07 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

Now Forza has more dlc to add overpriced as usual

11/17/2016 - 15:30 |
8 | 0

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