Gulf McLaren F1 GTR Longtail Racing Coupe Heading to Bonhams Auction

Dressed in legendary livery, the ultra-modern competition coupe is one of the greatest sports cars ever built. 

One of the genuine icons of the modern-era sports car racing is heading to Bonhams Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia auction this August.The ex-GTC Gulf Team Davidoff 1997 McLaren F1 GTR 'Longtail' FIA GT Endurance Racing Coupe - to give it its full and proper name - is dressed in Gulf Oil's pale-blue and orange team livery, colors worn by other legendary victors such as the Ford GT40 and Porsche 917K.
Heralded as one of the greatest sports cars ever made, this particular example, chassis '028R,' was the 28th and final McLaren F1 GTR built by the British McLaren Cars factory, and the last of only ten highly developed 'Longtail' cars.These ultra-modern competition coupes represented the pinnacle of McLaren's Le Mans-winning F1 GTR family, identifiable by their stunning Gordon Murray design, unique centerline driving position and sophisticated all-composite structure.The Longtails also featured longer noses and tails to reduce drag and achieve the maximum possible aerodynamic downforce.

In 1997 '028R' raced at the Nurburgring, Spa-Francorchamps, Austria's A1-Ring, Donington Park, Mugello, Sebring and Laguna. The car was driven by Andrew Gilbert-Scott, Geoff Lees, Anders Olofsson and John Neilsen."We are delighted to have been appointed by an international collector to represent this breathtaking piece of competition machinery," says Mark Osborne, Head of Motoring at Bonhams. "Racing legends like the McLaren F1 GTR rarely if ever appear at auction."This is an epic car dressed in a legendary livery, which is why a year ago the same car was being offered for €3m.So when this particular Gulf McLaren F1 GTR Longtail crosses the auction block don't be surprised if bids surpass $4m.The 2012 Bonhams Auction of Exceptional Motorcars will take place Thursday & Friday, August 16 & 17 at Quail Lodge in Carmel, California.

Gulf McLaren F1 GTR Longtail Racing Coupe Heading to Bonhams Auction

Ron Dennis: Next McLaren Supercar Won’t be Faster than the F1

Get ready for what will likely be the most technologically advanced supercar on the planet. 

After too many years of not building a production road car, McLaren is clearly trying to make up for lost time. Now that their MP4-12C has successfully launched, the British company is turning their attention to something even bigger: the F1 successor.Speaking at the opening of a new Sydney, Australia McLaren dealership the other night, company boss Ron Dennis revealed a few more details about the F1's spiritual successor.

Expected to be revealed in May, Dennis stated that trying to beat the legendary F1's top speed of 242 mph isn't the goal, nor is breaking the Bugatti Veyron's speed record.Instead, he claimed that the MP4-12C "will go around any circuit in the world faster than an F1. Don't get fixated by top speed. That's the first thing you have to discard in today's society." However, he did promise the new flagship will be the world's most technologically advanced supercar.

He continued by stating that "you've got to have....a complete package of performance.

You've got to embrace technologies that are out there that are accepted, and some that don't even exist. I can tell you our next car has many things on it that don't exist at the moment."He also revealed that it will be low volume (only 300-500 units, but this was expected) and that it'll be the most expensive and innovative supercar of its time.Power will come from the MP4-12C's 3.8-liter twin turbo V8; however it'll have better performance thanks to what will likely be a hybrid system that'll give it an extra boost and that also reduces fuel consumption.Unlike the F1, the new car will have a conventional two-seat layout (instead of the F1's three-seat design), but will still be radically different styling-wise compared to the 12C's mainly conservative lines.Overall, the new McLaren supercar will be more livable than the F1, but Dennis said that "what it lacks in purity it will make up for with more technology."

Ron Dennis: Next McLaren Supercar Won’t be Faster than the F1

HAMANN memoR Based on the McLaren MP4-12C Surfaces in Geneva

A complete aero package developed for the MP4-12C has just been unveiled at Geneva. 

The tuning specialist's remit for their take on the MP4-12C was to reduce the concave surfaces, implement essential F1 features, adapt GT3 elements both aesthetically and functionally, and create a relief with exciting light shade contrasts.The result is a complete remake of the supercar, boasting a large front splitter, upper and side wheel arch forced vents, ground effect door sills and an extended rear diffuser with large rear wing that combine to afford it aerodynamic balance as well as a new racing look.
Finally, the Germans fitted a triple exhaust and two different wheel sets to the memoR. No performance upgrades to the car was made, while the interior was modified without detailing to what degree.

HAMANN memoR Based on the McLaren MP4-12C Surfaces in Geneva

McLaren MP4-12C High Sport Gallery Released

Only five of these special edition McLarens will be built, and they’ve all been spoken for. 

Dubbed the High Sport, this special McLaren MP4-12C by McLaren Special Operations was first spotted in January but has now been officially revealed via these stunning images courtesy of Tomirri Photography, the official photographer for McLaren Special Operations.Only five of these special edition models will be produced, and all have already been spoken for. One will be going to McLaren executive chairman Ron Dennis and another to the crown prince of Bahrain.
Dramatic aerodynamic enhancements include a new front end and rear bumper, a modified wing, larger vents and diffuser, and a unique set of wheels.Performance has also been increased by boosting the twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 by 75hp to 675hp.Photos courtesy of Tomirri Photography.

McLaren MP4-12C High Sport Gallery Released

McLaren MP4-12C Diabolically Tricked Out to 666-Horses by Wheelsandmore

With McLaren's newest creation gradually making its way to most markets around the world, the tuning industry is stepping up its efforts to satisfy the needs of power-thirsty buyers.

After Hennessey, German tuning firm Wheelasandmore has also presented a new package for the McLaren MP4-12C, which includes both styling and performance products. 

In factory guise, the MP4-12C's mid-mounted 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine is rated at 600PS (592HP) and 600Nm (442.5 lb-ft). A reprogrammed ECU along with a custom sports exhaust system push those numbers to 666-horsepower and 640Nm (472 lb-ft) respectively. 

Wheelsandmore noted that it's currently working on a more aggressive tune with modified turbochargers and intercooler upgrades that will lift output to around 800-ponies. 

For now, the company's tune also includes an electronic hydraulic suspension system that lowers the ride height by another 25mm and is said to improve handling and steering.

The package is complemented by a new set of lightweight forged alloy wheels finished in black with an orange rim (20-inches with 245/30 Continental Sport Contact 5P tires up front and 21-inches shod in 325/25 rubber at the back), with matching color racing stripes. 

McLaren MP4-12C Diabolically Tricked Out to 666-Horses by Wheelsandmore

Ferrari Joins the GT1 Series

Ferrari will fight McLaren, as well as the three German premium brands for the world championship. 

Ferrari and McLaren are going head-to-head on the racing circuit all around the globe in the next eight months. And it's not only going to be in 20 Formula 1 races, but also in 10 rounds of the GT1 World Championship and six rounds of the GT3 European Championship.The addition of Ferrari joining the GT1 championship was just announced by series organizer Stephane Ratel. The defending champion, the Aston Martin DB9, will not return to defend its title, thereby opening the way for a four-way scramble for victory.

McLaren will have their all-new MP4-12C GT1 racer run by the German Helix team while Ferrari will be entering the 458 Italia GT1, which will be run by a team that has yet to be revealed. Two Ferrari 458 Italia's have been built to accommodate the GT1 regulations.The new cars on the grid will now have to fight against the more tested racing machinery from German competitors Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
"The addition of Ferrari to the 2012 line-up makes for a mouth-watering array of supercars racing in one world championship," Ratel said.
"The Ferrari team brings to five the number of confirmed teams and we are in advanced talks with a number of other teams. For reasons of confidentiality, we are respecting the wishes of those teams to announce their participation in their own time."

Ferrari Joins the GT1 Series

The Car That Could End Red Bull’s Grip on the F1 Title

The most technical-minded team in Formula 1 has launched an evolutionary car for the 2012 F1 Season.

Today McLaren revealed the MP4-27, its challenger for 2012 F1 world title in a media event that took place at the team's headquarters in Surrey, England, at the McLaren Technology Center.The team's pair of drivers, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, were on hand to discuss their expectations for the forthcoming season as the design team explained the new car's appearance.Per tradition, both Hamilton and Button took the wraps off the new car.
The car was painted with all the expected sponsors' logo with a dominant silver color (a reminder of the Mercedes V8 engine that will propel the car, perhaps). Beneath the surface of the MP4-27, there is a car that has been adapted to the new technical regulations of F1 (though they weren't extensive).The exterior of the racer resembles last year's model quite a bit. The chassis, however, was substantially revised from the ground-up with all major systems updated or redesigned for the new season. The most evident visual differences include more tightly-designed rear bodywork.

It was developed to improve air flow toward the rear of the car along with a revised cooling system which re-directs the gearbox oil-cooler. Last year's U-shaped sidepods have also been re-designed - a legacy of the FIA's new exhaust regulations that redefine the shape of the rear bodywork."We've changed the sidepods," said Lewis Hamilton. "We had the L-shaped sidepods last year. The front of the car is generally the same. Obviously the nose dips down a little bit different to last year; we've changed our wing mirrors a little bit, so hopefully we'll be able to see a lot better, which is something that I was pushing hard for.""Felipe [Massa] will be very happy with that."McLaren is proud of its drivers' line-up, which the team claims is the best in the field. This could be seen as a slight affront at the no. 2 drivers of the Ferrari and Red Bull teams, though it is a correct assertion. "Between them, they have scored 22 grand prix victories for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and are the strongest and most consistent driver line-up in the sport," the team said in a statement."For sure we are massively motivated for next year," said Hamilton after he helped Button taking the wraps off the car.

"We have a good-looking car; I think generally when the car looks good, it generally is good, so hopefully that reflects on the circuit."

When asked about their respective winter breaks, Hamilton replied: "I was over in the cold, in the mountains in Colorado, I wasn't missing the car too much."

Button responded "I've had a pretty good winter, spent quite a lot time away somewhere nice and warm to chill out and recharge my batteries but also to do a lot of training. I was back on 5 January, been spending quite a lot of time in the simulator and also just getting back to the way of life of -- of a driver, and then spending time here at the MTC."

The Formula 1 teams will launch their 2012 racing machines during the next fortnight.Stay tuned to Carbuzz.com for full coverage of the build-up to the 2012 F1 racing season. Check out the full unveiling of the McLaren MP4-27 below.

New Details on Upcoming McLaren F1 Replacement

Specific details of the upcoming McLaren F1 spiritual successor have finally begun about 12 months before it's revealed.
UK auto publication CAR has just released some new details about the upcoming McLaren F1 successor. More specifically, the car will be its spiritual successor and will be placed above the MP4-12C.In their exclusive inside story, the new hypercar will be unveiled within the next 12 months. Codenamed the P12, CAR claims that an inside source says that it looks like something out of "iRobot" and that it's much more dramatic looking than the MP4-12C.
CAR's eight-page spread explains that the P12 will feature plenty of technology from the MP4-12C, such as a similar carbon Monocoque structure and more carbon throughout the body shell and structure.Most importantly, however, the P12 will utilize the MP4-12C's 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8, albeit with a KERS energy storage system that will allow for extra electric power when overtaking. CAR also claims the P12 will start off at around €750,000. With Ferrari working on their beloved Enzo replacement, the ultimate hypercar comparison seems to be just around the corner. Get ready.