Hennessey Performance plots go-faster McLaren

McLaren is a company with a rich motorsport heritage, so it only stands to reason that its boffins squeezed every last iota of performance out of the MP4-12C... but have they, really?

Well, clearly not, in the view of Texas-based tuning firm Hennessey Performance, which has set its sights on taking the Ferrari 458-rivalling coupe to an even higher performance playing field.

Pictured alongside are the first renderings of the HPE800 Twin Turbo concept, which is an MP4-12C with a host of powertrain upgrades that liberate over 800bhp (597kW) from the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, giving it, at least on paper, performance to match McLaren’s upcoming P12 flagship.

The extra oomph is the result of an upgraded intercooler system and air intake, new ball-bearing turbochargers, a Hennessey titanium exhaust system and external wastegates and blow-off valves. There’s also an optimised fuel and engine management system.

To cope with the engine’s massive power boost, HPE also saw fit to upgrade the transmission cooler and complex dual-clutch system.

Given the HPE800’s massive performance potential, the Texas tweaker also conjured up a more aggressive aero package that increases high-speed downforce. 

Up front, there’s a new nose with a tarmac-scraping front splitter and large air inlets. The bonnet also gains large ducts, and this design is said to allow for larger heat exchangers for improved engine intercooling and transmission cooling.

Out back there’s a purposeful looking rear diffuser, while protruding from between the taillights is a quartet of round tailpipes in lieu of the standard MP4-12C’s dual trapezoidal pipes.

HPE says it does not plan to offer any kind of a suspension or brake system upgrade as it concedes “the factory systems will be difficult to improve upon”.

The company plans to offer the engine and body upgrades listed below as an entire package, or as individual components, all of which will be available directly from HPE facilities located in Texas and Southern California. Pricing has not yet been set.

Company founder John Hennessey says the MP4-12C caught his eye at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and he subsequently decided to focus the company’s energies on upgrading it.

“I spent a lot of time around the new 12C at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed and was very impressed. We’re excited to have the opportunity to take a great car and give it our own special performance touch while giving 12C owners a uniquely aggressive appearance,” he said.

A bit of background on Hennessey Performance: the company was founded in 1991 as an extension of speed freak John Hennessey’s desire to go faster, as part of which he and his self-modified, daily driver Mitsubishi 3000 GT commuted to and participated in a diverse combination of speed events that included Nevada open road races, the Pikes Peak Hill Climb and a record-setting 278km/h run at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Hennessey subsequently concentrated on building and modifying turbocharged imports such as the Mitsubishi 3000 GT, Toyota Supra and Mazda RX7.

However, the company is best known for modifying the V10-powered Dodge Viper, creating bespoke examples for the likes of Jay Leno, Bob Lutz and other Chrysler executives.

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