McLaren three-seat "Hyper-GT" is go

McLaren has today confirmed it will build a successor to one of the world's most celebrated sports cars, the McLaren F1, code-named BP23.

Just 106 versions will be built, the same as its famous V12 supercar ancestor from the 1990s.

That's the good news.

The bad news? Every last one of them have "already been pre-sold," McLaren announced in a press statement today.

Pricing and specification have not yet been revealed and clearly there's now no reason to ever do so.

McLaren's pedigree is such that buyers are clearly seeing a solid investment, particularly for a vehicle with connections to one of history's most important supercars.

Development of the BP23, which stands for "Bespoke Project 2" that features three seats in a staggered layout like the McLaren F1, will it will be built by McLaren Special Operations or MSO with deliveries beginning in 2019.

"BP23 will borrow the three seat layout with the central driving position made famous by the iconic McLaren F1, and it will be housed in a streamlined, shrink-wrapped carbon fibre body of great elegance," said McLaren CEO, Mike Flewitt.

It's not clear whether the BP23 will be powered by an all-new engine and a further development of the Riccardo-built 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 that powers its current vehicles.

Either way, it'll be fast.

The BP23 will be propelled by a hybrid powertrain and will focus on comfort and luxury as well as cheek-rippling speed. As such it's been dubbed a "hyper-GT" by McLaren.

"We are calling BP23 a 'Hyper-GT' because it's a car designed for longer journeys," said Flewitt, "but with the high levels of performance and driver engagement expected of any McLaren.

"A hybrid powertrain will make it one of the most powerful McLarens yet created but the car will also deliver the highest levels of refinement, enabling significant journeys to be undertaken with up to three people aboard."

Hand-crafted elements will be the BP23's calling card, as "all of the switchgear will be bespoke and exquisitely crafted for the car" proclaims the Woking-based UK car maker.

As per convention the new model will feature dihedral doors that swing up and out, adding an exotic element to the vehicle. However the BP23 will feature power operated doors for the first time, with openings that extend into the roof section for even more theatre.