With the relationship that produced the SLR supercar ended, Mercedes-Benz and U.K.-based McLaren have gone their separate ways. But like a bitterly divorced couple, the partners-turned-competitors are said to be developing quite the rivalry. Although Daimler AG owns a large stake in McLaren, Mercedes-Benz is reportedly refusing to supply the British carmaker with engines for its successor to the McLaren F1.
Mercedes is also threatening to cease its financial backing of McLaren, according to a report by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. Although Daimler previously considered a buyout of McLaren, one must now wonder if the German auto giant is considering dumping its shares altogether.
The root of this newfound rivalry lies in the world of ultra-exclusive supercars. Mercedes is hard at work on its SLC über-coupe, and McLaren is in the early stages of developing its P11 — a successor to the famed F1.
If McLaren was banking on Mercedes providing the engine for the P11 (and ultra-performance P12 variant), the car could see some significant delays, unless another supplier is found soon. Rumors indicate the P11 was supposed to receive an AMG-sourced 6.3-liter V8 making 550 horsepower.
07/30, 12:22 PM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Hmm… I wonder who they would source it from instead??
I say, go for GM australia
They do a 6.2 V8 in their Holden IIRC which in the VXR8 pushes out 425bhp, which is a big drop on the Merc-AMG alternative.
5.2 V8 from Lambo/Audi? 552bhp
Audi 4.2 V8 Bi-Turbo as seen in the Gumpert Apollo (and Sport) making 650bhp (and 800bhp
5.0L V8 from BMW as seen in the Ascari A10 pushing out 625bhp?
So many choices!!!
07/30, 12:30 PM
posted by:
Syrax
they’ll probably go Bmw again.
07/30, 12:35 PM
posted by:
rds130
Go BMW again. Screw MB. It was MB’s decision to turn the SLR into the (almost literal) penis on wheels that it became. McLaren is just as well off without them.
07/30, 12:37 PM
posted by:
Stinky007
Considering McLaren are British, they would probably want to take some revenge on MB for not providing engines so I would say they’ll go for BMW again!
I don’t think BMW would say no to kicking MB in the undercarriage in the hyper-car league
07/30, 1:17 PM
posted by:
xyunya
They also can source new V10 from Honda. It does reportedly pumps out 550 HP.
I guess M-B is on f*ucking spree: 2nd partner is so many years.
07/30, 1:25 PM
posted by:
The Stig
They have choices galore including some hi-tech diesels.
07/30, 1:35 PM
posted by:
Z06ified
Put GM’s LS9 engine in it. 638hp, and it will be a lighter engine than that AMG motor.
07/30, 2:05 PM
posted by:
doublearon21
I say go in house, take the 2.4 from Formula one, double the displacement, make it reliable for everyday use, but also rev to 12k, and lets say about 700hp. Essentially do what BMW did with the M5 V10, just more.
07/30, 2:35 PM
posted by:
acoats
Yep, they should call on the ///M experts one more time…
07/30, 2:36 PM
posted by:
shaver
Some think MB wants less and less to do with McLaren since the Stepneygate F1 scandal. Has little to do with road cars competing.
07/30, 2:46 PM
posted by:
xyunya
acoats, my cell is ringing, think it’s Mclaren?
07/30, 2:50 PM
posted by:
brockp
wat idiots they could make so much money
07/30, 2:55 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
Yeah, They probably will go with BMW again.
07/30, 2:59 PM
posted by:
qpt_dude
I don’t think they will put any American or Australian engine in it. I agree with most of the people here when they say McLaren should go with BMW for an engine. I don’t see why MB would support a competitor the SLC anyway, and this is a chance for BMW to finally rival MB in the supercar league.
07/30, 3:23 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
rds130: well f*cking said.
07/30, 3:37 PM
posted by:
bmwmpower
It would only make sense to source ponies from BMW. No offense to GM guys, but nobody wants to see (or know) a GM LSX engine in a $1,000,000+ super car. That’s just ghetto. I don’t care how much power it makes–nobody wants to see it. So you can just forget suggesting GM-anything in a car of this caliber. Go BMW twin turbo V8.
07/30, 5:10 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
Yeah, I mean who in their right mind would buy a 1million $ super car when you can just spend 70k on a ZO6, or 100k on a ZR1 and leave the Mclaren in your dust while saving yourself hundreds of thousands of $’s…
07/30, 5:38 PM
posted by:
ootlink
GM = fine american engineering
BMW = kraut.
07/30, 5:46 PM
posted by:
Mr.Lude
I agree, no one will be willing to spend $1 mil on a McLaren with a GM motor in it lol. Let’s be realistic, McLaren needs uber high quality engine with great horsepower and lasting reliability. BMW seems to be their best bet for sourcing an engine plus it will get under M-B’s skin! Muahahaha! xD
07/30, 9:31 PM
posted by:
zoomzoomer
Someone reiterated the point of McLaren being British.. so why not the supercharged Jaguar V8 from the coming XF-R? I’m sure Tata wouldn’t mind the cred that comes from powering one of the most technologically advanced race cars.
07/30, 10:25 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Just admit it, there are way too many other engines from all parts of the world stuffed in cars that are a half/quarter/tenth of the price that are every bit as powerful and reliable. Snobs will buy this because they have more money than brains, but those who know the meaning of bang for the buck will buy something else with 500+ horse and a house on their favorite beach for the same price.
07/31, 1:01 AM
posted by:
maxcar
if bmw are contemplating bringing back the m, they probably won’t want to supply mclaren. it will be in semi-direct competition. i’m with zoomzoomer on tata/jag.
07/31, 1:26 AM
posted by:
auto.observer
there are a lot more things to consider when picking an engine than horsepower. the power/weight ratio changes the dynamics of a car and if the P11 was designed with the AMG engine in mind, they’ll probably find a similar alternative.
I’d like to see them take their vested interests to honda, see what they can turn out. they have a pretty reputable racing program so they’re bound to have something that’ll fit McLaren’s needs.
07/31, 2:25 AM
posted by:
wushuhsu
GT-R!
07/31, 8:02 AM
posted by:
JohnnyBlazE
Do what Koenigsegg did with Ford Modular V8 to make their own engine….
McLaren should develop their own engine based on an existing one, or double the displacement of the 2.4 F1 engine… Could Triple it :$
07/31, 9:01 AM
posted by:
acoats
ootlink = idiot, BMW engines > GM engines
07/31, 1:51 PM
posted by:
sti parts
So if M-B and McClaren are splitsville on this new F1 project, what impact does that have on the Formula1 team relationship?
08/01, 10:41 PM
posted by:
monte
I guess Mclaren will have to pay its 100 million dollar spying fines all by itself from now on.
08/05, 11:18 AM
posted by:
nowei
Yeah, Mercedes supplies the F1 V8, so that’s not really an in house option.
I think Aston Martin would be the way to go. They’re already a British supercar manufacturer, but one that lacks any kind of RMR car. It’s a good way to put their name on one without having to do a lot of development of their own.