McLaren BP23 – F1 successor details firm

The arrival of much-anticipated successor to the McLaren F1 – currently known by the codename of the McLaren BP23 – is getting nearer, with the British maker confirming some further details and showing some prototype mule images of the car.

The McLaren BP23 – which, in case you’re wondering, stands for Bespoke Project 2 with 3 seats – is seen here in mule form. The mule is based on a revised example of the 720S sports car, but this time around it rocks the iconic centre driver’s seat layout with twin outboard rear seats behind.

Aside from the 1+2 seat layout, the McLaren has stated this new high-performance hybrid-powered model will be “the fastest ever McLaren”. That brief, according to information from McLaren, will be fulfilled, but the British company says it won’t be claiming any lap time records to prove it.

McLaren has referred to the BP23 as a “Hyper-GT”, with the most power and best aerodynamics of any car ever to bear the McLaren badge. It will be produced by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the company’s division for bespoke models.

“The mule vehicle has been created to investigate different ergonomic solutions for the car’s unique cabin layout as well as technologies that we are developing for use in the final car. For example, we are considering digital mirror technology for potential inclusion,” information from McLaren stated.

That’s right – the McLaren BP23 could be the first car to finally go without side mirrors! That’ll help with aerodynamics, for sure. The mule still has side mirrors, of course, while the team at McLaren put the finishing touches on the digital solution.

The new McLaren Ultimate Series model is now confirmed for production, with just 106 units set to be made. According to McLaren, there are more than three times that number of potential customers who would like to get their hands on this multi-million-dollar hypercar.

The new images and information has come to light to mark the fifth anniversary of the reveal of the McLaren P1 hypercar at the 2012 Paris motor show.

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