Employees at the McLaren Technology Center in Woking are currently toiling away developing a replacement for the 2015 McLaren 650S. Internally designated P16 or P14, depending on who you ask, the next car in McLaren’s->ke284 Super Series will arrive in time for the 2018 model year and could benefit from a new engine and a hybrid->ke147 drivetrain.

According to Autocar, the new car will produce over 660 horsepower, bettering its rival from Maranello, the 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB, and could have as much as 700. Autocar goes on to say it will be powered by a new version of McLaren’s 3.8-liter V-8, but we’ve also heard rumors of an entirely new turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 coupled with an electric motor. McLaren has expressed a desire to see hybrids proliferate beyond the 2014 McLaren P1 hypercar,->ke177 and it could start with the P16.

It will likely be built around a next-generation version of McLaren’s ultra-light carbon tub, and benefit from advanced chassis systems, including hydro-electric yaw control, anti-squat and dive, active roll control and even torque vectoring, if McLaren goes through with the gas-electric drivetrain idea.

The P16 will also introduce a new styling direction for McLaren and point the direction for future models. McLaren design boss Frank Stephenson (whose credits also include the first BMW->ke178 Mini,->ke57 2004-2005 Maserati MC12 and 2006 Ferrari F430), previously said the new car will be “even crazier” then the P1, which is a good sign. Variants will include a coupe,->ke141 followed by a folding-hardtop Spider about a year later, and possibly a longtail version a few years after that.

Autocar

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The P16 will have quite a fight on its hands. The Ferrari 488 GTB will spawn a faster track-oriented variant around that time, possibly called 2017 Ferrari 488 Scuderia (or Speciale, or Stradale, or whatever else it probably won’t be called), and Lamborghini->ke44 will in all likelihood be bringing around a faster 2016 Lamborghini Huracán LP-640-4 Superleggera as well. Porsche’s->ke1 mysterious mid-engine 2018 Porsche 988 supercar could also arrive soon after.

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