The newest member of the McLaren Super Series and replacement for the McLaren 650S is scheduled to debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. But, so far, McLaren has done pretty well about keeping the new model, which is codenamed internally as the P14, under wraps. Of course, that’s excepted by the teaser released earlier this month that showed off a bit of the car’s new rear wing, but outside of that and a few spy shots, there’s been very little word about the car. Now, a mysterious (and low-quality) photo of the new P14, or 720S as we’ll all come to know it, has made an appearance on Instagram. But, is this the real P14/720S, or is there more to this story that we just don’t know about?

Well, the photo was posted by Instagram user Woppum in the wee hours of the morning (for East Coast U.S. residents) and has been making rounds ever since. According to the poster, who has a strong fascination for cars and 69.5-thousand followers, this is the P14/720S in Volcano Orange. The spoiler that was recently teased appears to be non-existent here or, at the very least, out of the camera's view, but you can see hints of the legendary McLaren F1 and some of the P1. You can even see some 570S cues in there, but there’s also some new bodywork that separates it from the 650S as well – all signs that this is the next model and not just an upgrade or special edition of an existing model.

So far, it’s seen some 1,500 likes, but it’s also seen some mixed opinions. Outside of the general design, which some see as gorgeous while others say it’s not exactly the prettiest car they’ve seen, the fact that it’s surrounded by a bunch of older gentlemen under heavy lighting adds fuel to the fire that points toward this being the real deal. After all, McLaren is known for hosting its own private debuts for loyal customers long before it officially announces new models to the rest of the world.

Keep reading for the rest of the story

A Few More Tidbits

Well, I’m pretty convinced that this low-quality picture is indeed the P14, especially after comparing it to spy shots that have circled the internet, but we all know that a car is more than its visual appeal. Back when the car’s spoiler was teased, we also found out that it will see be twice as aerodynamically efficient as the 650S that it replaces while also being subject to 50 percent more downforce. There’s also said to be a 15-percent gain in cooling efficiency thanks to the redesigned dihedral doors.

Finally, and thanks to McLaren's new business plan that includes spending more than $1 billion on 15 new products by 2022, this baby is said to use new framework known as the Monocage II carbon-fiber tub and will make us of a new 4.0-liter powerplant. The latter of which is expected to be a V-8, and will use twin turbos to 720 PS (hence the 720S nomenclature.) That would raise to bar by 70 horsepower when compared to the 650S and by 44 ponies when compared to the hardcore 675LT. Torque output is expected to increase to as much as 550 pound-feet, which would be a 34 pound-foot increase over the 675LT as well. Meanwhile, the sprint 62 mph should take somewhere around 2.7 seconds, and top speed should come in above the 210 mph mark.

Specifications

2018 McLaren 720S

Read our full review on the upcoming 2018 McLaren 720S here.