The iconic McLaren F1 that was introduced at the 1992 Monaco Grand Prix was powered by a BMW-sourced 6.1-liter V12 engine. The two partners haven’t collaborated since, but a new report coming out of England finds they’ll team up once again to build a new supercar before the end of the decade.
The yet-unnamed model will allegedly take the form of a sleek, two-seater mid-engined coupe that will share its carbon fiber monocoque with the McLaren P16, the model that will replace the 650S. While the P16 will use McLaren-sourced engines and transmissions, BMW’s version of the car will be powered by a mid-mounted 4.0-liter V8 that will use four turbochargers — two exhaust-driven units and two electric units — to produce at least 750 horsepower.
The two cars will be built on the same bones, and they will share most brake, suspension and steering components, but they will not look anything alike when parked next to each other. Similarly, BMW will design a brand-specific interior for its car. The two car makers are going to great lengths to avoid ending up with a pair of twins like the Subaru BRZ and the Scion FR-S.
BMW’s bean counters like the idea of splitting development costs with another car maker, but insiders warn that the project hasn’t been given the green light for production yet because talks are still on-going. However, if everything goes according to plan, the supercar will greet the public for the first time at the 2017 edition of the Frankfurt Motor Show.
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