Remember the rumors that surfaced last week of a new McLaren F1? Don’t call your financial manager just yet, because the company’s chief executive says they’re just that: rumors.
The report from Autocar suggested that Woking was preparing to revive the legendary supercar in the form of a “hyper-GT,” complete with 1+2 seating layout but oriented more towards cruising in comfort than setting blistering lap times.
Speaking with journalists, however, at the announcement of its latest financial results, McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt denied the prospect… sorta. Car and Driver reports that Flewitt was dismissive of the Autocar report, saying that he’s been asked many times about the prospect of a new F1, but that the company was more interested in moving forward than looking back.
The McLaren chief apparently stopped short of addressing the substance of the report, however. While asserting that the company wouldn’t make “continuation” examples of the original F1 (like Jaguar has with the Lightweight E-Type and XKSS), he didn’t negate the possibility of a high-powered luxury GT, or of bringing back the F1’s novel seating layout.
With Brit publication sticking to its guns, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. The vehicle in question may very well be in the works, but we guess it won’t wear the original’s nameplate.
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