In an age of austerity and downsizing, it's heartening to see the supercar still alive and well. 2013 promises to be an exciting year for performance cars, with new models from Mercedes and Aston Martin, as well as the groundbreaking Lamborgini Sesto Elemento and Porsche 918 Spyder. Old rivalries are set to be re-ignited too, with the release of two F1-inspired supercars, the McLaren P1 and Ferrari F150. Here's our guide to what to look out for and when.
McLaren P1, September
The term ‘F1 car for road’ has been much abused over the years. Perhaps the original McLaren F1 is the closest that’s been achieved. Ferrari’s extreme Enzo-based FXX was, perhaps, even nearer to the genuine F1 experience, but owners were restricted to using it on circuits.
Today, McLaren and Ferrari are racing to deliver the road-going F1 experience. McLaren’s P1 was the first to be shown in public, at last year’s Paris show, with deliveries expected at the end of the year.
Programme director Paul Mackenzie says the P1 is designed to feel like a “proper racing car” at the push of a button, which could then be driven home in “great comfort and refinement”. But while McLaren has shown the finished styling, the technical details remain vague.
The McLaren will have a power-to-weight ratio of more than 600bhp per tonne when it goes on sale. Some kind of hybrid energy recuperation system will be fitted to the car. Interestingly, the rear wing intakes close to the wheels are called ‘clutch’ scoops, raising the possibility that they might be used to cool some kind of KERS-type flywheel system.
The car’s ‘jelly mould’ engineering package was created primarily by aerodynamic concerns and the desire to shrink the exterior to an absolute minimum. The P1 uses a one-piece carbonfibre ‘tub’ derived from the MP4-12C, and features a skin made from “extraordinarily thin” carbonfibre panels, which are moulded in large sections.
It is claimed the P1 can generate 600kg of downforce at a pace “well below” the car’s maximum speed, a figure that is around five times more than that generated by the 12C. The P1’s huge double-element rear wing can automatically adjust by up to 300mm rearwards on a race track and by up to 120mm on the road.
The P1 will have three different ride height modes, with the lowest for track use. This latter track mode ensures that the car’s side skirts and rear diffuser work properly, but it also means the diffuser’s carbonfibre strakes are just a couple of inches above the track surface.
If anyone can finally deliver an F1 experience to the privileged few, it should be McLaren.
Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, Summer
Its maker says the open-top Aventador will be “the most exciting Lamborghini ever built”. With a 690bhp V12, a 217mph top speed and 0-62mph in 3.0sec, that claim is at least backed up on paper.
The Aventador Roadster addresses the main failing of its Murciélago predecessor. With the fabric roof on, that car was limited to just 99mph. The Aventador gets a targa-style two-piece carbonfibre roof that weighs just 6kg and can be easily removed and stored on board. Roof on or off, top speed remains the same.
New aerodynamic aids are also added to the £290,000 open-top Aventador over the coupé.
Ferrari F150, Autumn
McLaren and Ferrari have matched each other blow for blow recently with the MP4-12C and 458 Italia ranges, but their road car rivalry will be taken to next level with Woking and Maranello each launching a new F1-inspired road car.
McLaren has shown its hand first with the P1 concept, but we only have to wait until March to see the Ferrari Enzo replacement, codenamed F150.
It will weigh around 1100kg and will be powered by a mid-mounted V12 engine, mated to an F1 KERS-style hybrid system for a combined output of more than 800bhp.
F1 tech packed into the F150 will include a race-car driving position moulded to the owner, advanced active aerodynamics and extensive use of carbonfibre, including the 70kg tub.
Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, March
Until the F150 arrives, the F12 Berlinetta is Ferrari’s fastest and most powerful production road car ever.
Its V12 produces 730bhp — some 119bhp more than the F12’s successor, the 599GTB, and the largest power hike for a new Ferrari over the model it replaces. It can crack 0-62mph in 3.1sec and reach a top speed of more than 211mph. Want one? The F12 can be yours for £239,736.
Aston Martin Vanquish Volante, Winter
The open-top version of Aston’s Vanquish is gearing up to be the firm’s big centenary model. A Pebble Beach reveal in late August is likely before deliveries later in the year.
Expect a near-£200,000 price tag for the range-topping Aston, which will share its 565bhp 5.9-litre V12 engine with the Vanquish coupé.
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, Winter
Lamborghini’s striking 999kg lightweight special is coming later this year, although a precise launch date has yet to be confirmed. Just 20 Sesto Elemento models will be built, each with a price tag in excess of £1.5 million.
Lamborghini claims the Sesto Elemento will hit 62mph from rest in just 2.5sec thanks to its 562bhp V10 powerhouse, but its extreme nature, spartan, stripped-out cabin and highly experimental forged carbonfibre construction make it likely that the car will be restricted to circuit use only.
The SLS AMG coupé is the latest model to be given the extreme, powered-up and pared-down Black Series treatment. Black Series enhancements for the SLS include a 59bhp increase for its 6.2-litre V8, taking it to 622bhp, and a 70kg weight reduction, down to 1550kg.
In June, another new SLS will be launched: the Electric Drive. This gets four electric motors producing a combined 740bhp and a €416,500 (£335,000) price tag in Germany.
Porsche 918 Spyder, September
The third significant entry into this year’s hypercar stakes will be the Porsche 918 Spyder. The 918, which enters production on 18 September, has already lapped the Nürburging 10 seconds faster than the Carrera GT.
Porsche is the only one of the trio of hypercar makers so far to put some official figures on its range-topper. The 918 will produce more than 784bhp from its hybrid drivetrain, which consists of a 4.6-litre V8 engine and twin electric motors. It will hit 62mph in 3.2sec and have a top speed in excess of 199mph. It will also be able to travel up to 15 miles on electric power alone, return a claimed 94mpg combined and emit just 70g/km of CO2.
The price has been set at €645,000 plus taxes (£624,000 including VAT).
One for 2014: Audi R10
Audi will be the fourth car maker to launch a hybrid supercar, but unlike its rivals, the R10 will be a diesel-electric hybrid rather than petrol-electric. The R10 is a road-going version of the Le Mans-winning R18 e-Tron quattro. Audi first floated the idea of a diesel supercar with 2008’s R12 V12 TDI
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