McLaren->ke284 unveiled the MP4-12C back in 2011 and it looks like the car is already about to receive its second revision. The first revision took place for the 2013 model year and the changes were very slight. This time around, the changes will likely be a little more noticeable and our our spy photographers caught one of there revised MP4-12C->ke3514 prototypes testing at Nurburgring->ke999 under camo.

Since this camouflage only hides the car's front end, we expect to see changes to the front bumper and headlights. Rumors also suggest that McLaren will offer a small power boost for the twin-turbocharged V-8. The current MP4-12C delivers a total of 625 horsepower and we expect to see updated version to deliver somewhere in the 650-horsepower area.

Expect to see the revised MP4-12C unveiled in September at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show->ke235, with sales to begin shortly after.

Click past the jump to read more about the McLaren MP4-12C.

2014 McLaren MP4-12C

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 McLaren MP4-12C
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 650
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Spy shots

Judging by the spy shots, we expect the 2014 MP4-12C sports car to offer a few more revisions than the 2013 model year. We expect to see small changes to the front bumper and headlights, plus a series of new colors and standard features.

McLaren will also update the interior with higher-quality materials and new technology, plus a series of new trims and colors.

Competitors

Ferrari 458 Italia

The MP4-12C's main competitor -- the 458 Italia -- hasn't received any real improvements since its unveiling in 2009.

The 458 Italia is powered by a 4.5-liter V-8 engine that delivers a total of 570 horsepower at 9,000 rpm and a peak torque of 398 pound-feet at 6,000 rpm. As you can see, the 458 Italia is a little bit less powerful, but its specification are pretty much identical to the MP4-12C: 0 to 60 mph in under 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 201 mph.

Lamborghini Cabrera

By the time the revised MP4-12C hits the market, Lamborghini will likely also unveil the successor for the Gallardo. The new model - rumored to be called Cabrera - will be powered by a revised V-10 engine with an output close to 600 horsepower.

History

McLaren unveiled the design for the MP4-12C back in 2009 and the production version arrived in 2011. The MP4-12C's chassis was based on an F1-style, one-piece carbon-fiber tub, called the Carbon MonoCell, which helps keep the total weight to only 2,868 pounds.

The debut model used a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine with a total output of 592 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. This output was enough to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and up to a top speed of 205 mph.

For the 2013 model year, McLaren unveiled a revised version which offered a lightly updated exterior, new colors and new materials on the interior. The biggest update for 2013 was made under the hood, where McLaren tuned the V-8 engine to deliver a total of 616 horsepower. As a result, the sprint from 0 to 60 mph dropped to 3.1 seconds and top speed went up to 207 mph.