Report: New McLaren Speedster in the Works

McLaren Automotive Ltd. is developing a two-seat open-cockpit speedster, sources tell Autocar.

The unnamed vehicle will be the sixth model in McLaren’s range-topping Ultimate Series and will likely debut by early 2021, according to the report. McLaren declined to comment.

Describing it as McLaren’s first “pure open-road car,” Autocar says the all-new vehicle will compete against Ferrari SpA’s Monza SP1 and SP2 speedsters. Styling and performance are expected to focus on emotional pleasure and driving response, respectively, rather than the all-out power of McLaren’s track-focused, 789-hp Senna supercar.

The rear-wheel-drive two-seater will be equipped with the 4.0-liter V-8 twin-turbocharged engine that also powers McLaren’s Speedtail hybrid-electric supercar, according to the U.K. enthusiast magazine. Autocar says there are no plans to electrify the new model.

Extensive use of carbon fiber and the lack of a roof should keep the new speedster’s weight below that of the 2,640-lb Senna, the magazine notes.

Production likely will be limited to fewer than 500 units. Autocar suggests that the car will be priced at about £1.5 million ($1.9 million), which would be on par with the Ferrari speedsters.