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THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012 |

Last week, YouTube user "Jodito20" captured a pair of McLaren MP4-12C supercars at The Collection in Miami, Florida, on film. While the silver colored model was a regular MP4-12C, the other one turned out to be a customized version named HS for "High Sport".
The info came from a McLaren salesperson who told Jodito20 that only five models were built.
"I talked to a salesman and he told me HS stands for High Sport. He confirmed that there are only five cars in the world. BUT, these cars are NOT from the McLaren Special Operation program. They are not Bespoke Editions even if they have some customization in common," Jodito20 wrote on his video channel.
The High Speed variant sports a redesigned front end, similar to that of the GT3 racer, in order to increase downforce as well as airflow to the 3.8-liter V8 turbo intercoolers. Power is reportedly up by 75HP, for a total of 675HP – edging closer to the Lamborghini Aventador and moving away from 458 territory.
The rest of the changes are also inspired by the racing model and include a new bumper, air vents, extended diffuser and redesigned rear wing.
So, it’s got even more power, which to be honest was the one thing the MP4-12C wasn’t short of. The real question is has it gained that “character” that would help it trump the 458?
Guess we’ll have to cross our fingers and hope someone will get their hands on one of the five examples and share the experience.
Story References: YouTube via WorldCarFans

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MONDAY, MARCH 04, 2013 |

This year's Geneva auto salon is turning out to be quite a crowd pleaser for anyone interested in unique supercars, be that limited run editions from carmakers like the Lamborghini Veneno and the Koenigsegg Agera S Hundra, or from high-end tuning brands such as Mansory with theLamborghini Aventador Carbonado and Ferrari F12berlinetta Stallone, and in this case, DMC with the McLaren MP4 Velocita.

The German tuner of all things on four wheels with a ludicrous price tag, has prepared a bespoke styling kit made from carbon-fibre comprising a new front fascia with an extended apron, side skirts with 'wings' (…), a new rear diffuser and a larger rear wing.

According to DMC, the new components not only improve aerodynamics, but also lower the supercar's weight.

A new titanium exhaust system and a set of 21-inch diamond forged alloy rims wrapped in high-performance tires size 255/30 ZR21 at the front and 355/25 ZR21 at the back, are also include in the Velocita package.

As for the McLaren's interior, DMC says it can customize the cabin according to the demands of customers.

Pricing, excluding VAT (tax), is as follows:

Costs: Body Kit US$24,995 (€19,200), Wheel Package US$12,995 (€10,000), Interior Make-Over US$16,495 (€12,700) and Titanium Exhaust System US$5,495 (€4,200). Get it all for US$59,980 (€46,200).

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SUNDAY, MARCH 03, 2013 |

Officially, the 83rd Geneva International Motor Show won't be opening its doors for the press until Tuesday, March 5, but that doesn't mean you can't get in the Palexpo – Arena, as YouTube user and Carscoop reader Tim a.k.a.Shmee150 proves with these two videos he dropped into our email-box.Besides getting a quick look at Ferrari's stand that will host the world premiere of the Enzo-replacing hypercar, currently known under its internal codename F150, Tim also filmed the actual, production version of McLaren's 350km/h (218mph) P1 hybrid hypercar.
You can watch both videos right below the break, and don't forget to keep checking back on Carscoops for all the latest news coming out from the Geneva Auto Salon.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 |

It’s one of the big moments car fans have been waiting for these past few months: how fast is the new McLaren P1 that will challenge the likes of the upcoming Ferrari hypercar codenamed F150?Without any further delay, here are the performance numbers: 0 to 100km/h (62mph) will take less than 3 seconds, 0 to 200 km/h (124mph) under 7 seconds, and 0 to 300 km/h (186mph) in no more than 17 seconds, or 5 seconds faster than the famous McLaren F1. The P1's top speed is electronically restricted to 350 km/h (217.5 mph), which falls short of the F1's 386km/h (240mph).
The Woking-based sports car maker also revealed that production of the P1 will be strictly limited to just 375 units to ensure that it "will remain a rarity and, if spotted on the road, an unforgettable sight", said the company.
Pricing in the UK is set at £866,000 on the road, which is equal to US$1.31 million and €1 million at today's currency exchange rates. In the U.S., the P1 will start at a cool $1,150,000. Sales begin this autumn.
McLaren said the base price is for "a specification that fully equips the car for both road and track use", adding that the options list is limited "to only bespoke content that a customer might wish to add through McLaren Special Operations, and fitted luggage".
The P1's hybrid powertrain comprises a mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 and anelectric motor for a combined system output of 903HP (916PS) and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque, with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox driving the rear wheels.
Owners will be able to drive the car in pure-electric mode for up to 20km (12 miles) with an average speed of 48km/h (30 mph) – the higher the speed, the less the driving range.
The P1 will be displayed to the public in final production trim for the first time at the Geneva International Auto Salon next week.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 06, 2013 |

Making the customary short video before the unveiling of your new supercar can be a drag; in the case of McLaren Automotive, though, prepping up one for the Geneva Motor Showdebut of the P1 was a piece of cake.

Just reach into your huge Formula 1 archive, pick out Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, add footage of the MP4-12C road car and, voila! You’re good to go.

After the wraps have been pulled off, though, you’d better have something interesting to say to keep the members of the press, who already know the facts and figures, from ignoring you and just looking at your new piece of machinery.

McLaren chairman Ron Dennis certainly pulled that off and, indeed, rose more than a few eyebrows when he promised that the new P1 will set a new Nürburgring lap record thanks not only to its firepower but also to its 2g+ cornering speed.

New F1 team signing Sergio Perez later joined Dennis on the stand and, having sampled the P1, commented that it was “a great experience” (but then he would say that, wouldn’t he?).

You can watch the official unveiling of the McLaren P1 and also learn how the P1 did at the Top Gear test track right after the break.

By Andrew Tsaousis

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MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2013 |

In a few years’ time, the 2013 Geneva Motor Show will be remembered as the venue in which a new breed of supercar was introduced to the world: the hybrid with more than 900HP and emissions less than a conventional one with, say, less than half the firepower.

Both Ferrari and McLaren chose the Swiss event to unveil their new hypercars. Since the latter was practically identical to last year’s concept while the Italians kept their cards close to their chest, the prancing horse premiere was the most eagerly awaited.

Why Maranello chose that name for their most technically advanced model to date (and the one that succeeds the Enzo to boot) defies logic, especially when they have such a rich and exquisitely sounding vocabulary to pick from.

(Bonus Joke: A man walks into a bar and orders a whiskey. The bartender notices the shiny red sports car parked outside. “Is that the new Ferrari?” he inquires. “Yes”. “Which one is it?” “TheLaFerrari”, replies the owner. “Yeah, I know it’s a Ferrari but which one?” says the bartender. “It’s LaFerrari”, stresses the man… Then the bartender either gives up or, if he’s trigger-happy, reaches under the counter, pulls out his gun and shoots the man point-blank for being such a smart-ass.)

It’s not that Ron Dennis’ team strived too hard, either. The spiritual successor to the iconic McLaren F1 was christened the P1, the term used for pole position in Formula 1. Still, it’s better than labeling it TheMcLaren or something like their junior model that sounds like a fax machine.

Lamborghini kept things very simple. It stuck with the time-honored bull-naming tradition for itsVeneno and, unlike the other two, didn’t go all guns blazing on the horsepower front and shunned hybrid systems for a merely updated Aventador-sourced V12. We assume because the role of battling with the two aforementioned rivals is already delegated to the upcoming Porsche 918 Spyder – but that’s VW Group politics to you…

Then again, 750HP and a 2.8-second 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint are more than adequate for everyone bar Formula 1 drivers. Moreover, it beats the other two on exclusivity as only four will be made, so more likely than not, their owners will run into each other as frequently as the Haley comet passes near Earth.

Now, let’s leave HP, 0-100 times, silly name jokes and top speeds out of the equation as they’re pretty much irrelevant – on this planet anyway. Since such models are, first and foremost, judged on the emotions they evoke on onlookers, which of the three do you think is the sexiest: the P1, the Veneno or the Ferrari-formerly-known-as-the-F70/F150?

You can cast your vote right after the break; and of course, you’re more than welcome to voice your thoughts in the comments section.

By Andrew Tsaousis

Poll: Which is the Geneva Motor Show's best-looking new hypercar?

FERRARI LAFERRARI

LAMBORGHINI VENENO

MCLAREN P1