McLaren has managed to keep itself busy over the past few years by producing the SLR for Mercedes-Benz , but the SLR’s production run is set to end in the not-too-distant-future, which will leave the British automaker with some extra capacity. The company’s P11 supercar should take up some of that slack, but McLaren will likely fill the rest of that void with two additional models.
According to Car Magazine, McLaren is planning to offer three in order to truly compete with the world’s supercar makers. The P11 will be the first model to hit the market – likely in 2009 when SLR production ends – but it will be followed by no less than two all-new models.
A model to slot above the P11 is said to be in the works, which will likely take on another Ferrari model. The yet-to-be-named McLaren model will probably be more GT than pure sports car, but will have a heavy emphasis on performance, none-the-less.
But the big news is that McLaren is planning a new ‘entry-level’ model, which would take on the likes of the Porsche 911 and be priced from about £60,000 – just under $100,000 U.S. At that price point the P11’s composite materials would likely be out, so expect the entry McLaren to use aluminum and steel.
No word on what engine is earmarked to power the smaller McLaren, but a Mercedes-Benz -sourced powerplant is a distinct possibility.
