McLaren unveils BP23 hypercar mule

McLaren has released four images of a 720S-based centre-seat ‘mule’ being used as part of the development of its 2019 hypercar codenamed BP23 (Bespoke Project 2, three-seater).

No new information has been revealed about the ground-breaking model, which McLaren has promised will be the most powerful and most aerodynamic road car the British sports car manufacturer has ever produced.

However, McLaren says it has finalised the hybrid-powered BP23’s attribute targets and can now confirm that the brief it set itself – to create “the fastest ever McLaren” -- will be achieved.

“By what measurement, though, you will have to wait and see. Except I can say that it won’t be a lap time,” said McLaren cryptically, suggesting the as-yet-unnamed BP23 may exceed the original 1994 McLaren F1’s top speed of 240mph (386km/h).

McLaren said it created the centre-seat mule based on the 720S to investigate different ergonomic solutions for the car’s unique three-seat cabin layout as well as technologies it is developing for use in the production version, which will be limited just 106 vehicles globally.

“For example, we are considering digital mirror technology for potential inclusion,” confirmed the company.

McLaren says demand for the BP23 -- which has already attracted an order from one well-heeled Australian, despite the fact it could top $3.5 million after local taxes and may not meet the homologation regulations required for it to be registered here -- already exceeds its planned supply by 300 per cent.

Revealed via Facebook, this evening’s BP23 teaser images follow yesterday’s fifth anniversary of the reveal of the McLaren P1 built between 2013 and 2015 – the first instalment in McLaren’s Ultimate Series model line -- at the 2012 Paris motor show.

McLaren says the BP23 ‘hyper-GT’, which will be based around a new carbon-fibre structure currently under development at McLaren Special Operations (MSO), will blend the comfort of a grand tourer with the speed of a hypercar, making the new McLaren a direct rival to Bugatti’s epic Chiron.

Expected to combine a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 with up to three electric motors and a powerful lithium-ion battery pack, the new McLaren flagship will out-power the 674kW P1 with a figure expected to eclipse 750kW – more than Mercedes-AMG’s upcoming Project ONE hypercar.