McLaren Confirms New Speedster

McLaren Automotive Ltd. says it will launch a two-seat open-cockpit speedster late next year.

The company also released a darkened image of the yet-to-be-named model today in conjunction with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance show in California. Last month, Autocar reported that such a car was in the works.

McLaren says the new model will sit between the $900,000 Senna and $2.6 million Speedtail in the company’s range-topping Ultimate Series lineup. Production will be limited to 399 units.

The new car will feature classic roadster proportions, sweeping lines and low-profile dihedral doors, according to the carmaker. McLaren claims the roadster, which will be built on the company’s carbon fiber chassis, will be the lightest model in its history.

Power will come from a specially tuned version of McLaren’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 used in the hybrid-electric Speedtail.