Tag Archives: McLaren

NEW CARS

Great Wall Motor Teases V8 Hybrid Supercar to Rival Ferrari and McLaren

In a move that will send shockwaves through the global performance car scene, Chinese automotive giant Great Wall Motor (GWM) has teased what appears to be its first true supercar—a bold new halo model aimed squarely at Ferrari and McLaren.

The news broke via Chinese social media platform Weibo, where GWM chairman Wei Jianjun marked the company’s 35th anniversary with a striking image: company executives gathered around the silhouette of a low-slung, mid-engined machine draped in cloth. Though no details were revealed in the post, the shape beneath the sheet left little doubt—a full-blooded supercar is on the way.

This development follows earlier confirmation from GWM’s chief technology officer, Wu Huixiao, that the company has been secretly developing a high-performance flagship for over five years. According to Wu, the car is built around a carbonfibre monocoque chassis, and in no uncertain terms, he claimed it “will be better” than its European counterparts.

If that sounds ambitious coming from the maker of budget-friendly models like the Ora 03 and Haval Jolion Pro, consider this: GWM is China’s largest privately owned carmaker, delivering over 1.2 million vehicles globally in 2024. And it’s not just quantity. In recent years, GWM has aggressively expanded its brand portfolio, including premium SUV marque Wey, rugged off-roaders from Tank, and the soon-to-arrive Poer pickup range.

The new supercar is tipped to debut under a newly minted high-end sub-brand called Confidence Auto, set to rival BYD’s Yangwang, which itself has gained notoriety with the U9—an all-electric hypercar producing 1,250bhp and capable of leaping off the ground and conquering the Nürburgring in a blistering 7 minutes 18 seconds.

Though GWM hasn’t officially disclosed performance figures or a name for its supercar, there are mounting rumors that it will feature the company’s newly unveiled 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, first shown at the 2024 Shanghai Auto Show. While specs remain under wraps, industry sources suggest outputs could exceed 600 hp and 590 lb-ft from the engine alone.

More intriguingly, this V8 (or possibly the brand’s existing V6) will be paired with electric motors in a plug-in hybrid layout—putting it in the same high-performance hybrid league as the McLaren Artura, Ferrari 296 GTB, and Lamborghini’s new Temerario. That means total power output could comfortably eclipse the 800bhp mark, setting up the GWM machine as a serious player in the global supercar race.

With no confirmed name or reveal date, all eyes now turn to the Guangzhou Auto Show in late November, one of China’s biggest automotive events and a likely stage for the car’s grand debut.

If successful, Great Wall Motor’s first foray into the supercar world won’t just be a bold flex of engineering muscle—it could mark a pivotal moment in China’s transition from volume producer to purveyor of genuinely world-class performance cars.

Source: Autocar

NEW CARS

Lanzante 95-59: A $1.6 Million Three-Seat Supercar with Le Mans DNA

In a world where hypercars are often synonymous with overcomplication and excessive weight, Lanzante has unveiled a refreshing counterpoint: the 95-59, a three-seat, V8-powered supercar that bridges the past, present, and future of driver-focused engineering. Premiering this week at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the 95-59 is more than just a car—it’s a rolling homage to one of motorsport’s greatest triumphs.

A Name Rooted in Racing Glory

The “95-59” name isn’t arbitrary. It pays direct tribute to the #59 McLaren F1 GTR, run by Lanzante, that clinched overall victory at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans—an achievement that forever etched the UK-based outfit into endurance racing history. Now, three decades later, Lanzante distills everything it has learned since that win into a road-going machine that channels the soul of the McLaren F1 with a thoroughly modern twist.

Three Seats, One Vision

Like the original F1—and the more recent McLaren Speedtail and GMA T.50—the 95-59 features a central driving position flanked by two passenger seats, emphasizing driving purity and balance. Access to this unique cabin is granted via dihedral doors, reinforcing its McLaren-derived DNA. While Lanzante is keeping much of the interior under wraps, glimpses reveal a minimalist cockpit with physical controls arranged intuitively around—and even above—the driver, harking back to analog racing machines.

Power-to-Weight Masterclass

At the heart of the 95-59 is a McLaren-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, churning out 850 horsepower and 649 lb-ft of torque. There’s no hybrid system here—just raw combustion power channeled to the rear wheels via a seven-speed Seamless Shift Gearbox (SSG). The result? A blistering 0–62 mph time of around 2.5 seconds, and a power-to-weight ratio of 700 hp per tonne—a figure that not only eclipses the original F1 by 158 hp/tonne, but puts it within striking distance of the 1183 hp Ferrari F80.

Lightweight, Laser-Focused

With a target curb weight of just 1,250 kg (2,756 lbs), the 95-59 benefits from a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and full carbon bodywork. The optional LM30 Pack—which includes forged aluminum wheels, titanium exhaust tips, and gold-plated heat shielding—shaves off an additional 20 kg, further sharpening its already scalpel-like dynamics.

Beneath the skin lies a McLaren Monocage chassis, the same carbon structure found under the P1, Senna, and 720S, but adapted by Lanzante to accommodate its unique three-seat layout. A large active rear wing, designed to provide additional downforce under load, ensures the rear stays firmly planted in high-speed corners and straights alike.

Design by a McLaren Mastermind

Styling duties were led by Paul Howse, the designer behind the P1, 570S, and 720S. The result is a familiar yet distinct silhouette, punctuated by aerodynamic sculpting and a bullet-like profile that speaks to both function and form. Painted in Ueno Gray, the same livery worn by the ’95 Le Mans-winning F1 GTR, the 95-59 proudly wears its heritage on its sleeve—despite bearing no McLaren badging.

Howse remarks: “I like to think we’ve created something that is unlike anything else—building its own legacy.”

Limited, But Not Out of Reach

Just 59 examples of the Lanzante 95-59 will be produced, each priced from £1.2 million (approximately $1.63 million USD). While that’s a substantial investment, it undercuts McLaren’s own Speedtail by nearly half and offers a far more exclusive experience than any production supercar currently on the market.

The Legacy Continues

Founder Dean Lanzante described the car as “the result of everything I personally and we, as a business, have learned and experienced over three decades since winning Le Mans.” And with the 95-59, Lanzante isn’t just reviving the spirit of the F1—it’s proving that passion, precision, and performance can still come together in a way that honors the past while setting a new benchmark for the future.

Source: Lanzante

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Lanzante 95-59: A $1.6 Million Three-Seat Supercar with Le Mans DNA
News

McLaren Unveils W1 Supercar and Honors 30 Years Since Le Mans Win

McLaren Automotive is set to light up the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed with a stunning showcase of innovation, performance, and motorsport heritage — all anchored by the global public debut of the all-new McLaren W1.

The striking W1 headlines McLaren’s presence at this year’s Festival, aligning perfectly with the event’s official theme, “Champions and Challengers.” Unveiled to the public for the first time at McLaren House, the W1 marks the third chapter in McLaren’s elite ‘1’ car lineage, following the trailblazing McLaren F1 and P1™.

With just 399 units allocated, the W1 is already fully spoken for. And it’s no wonder: it features an all-new 1,275PS V8 hybrid powertrain, rear-wheel drive, and advanced active aerodynamics inspired by Formula 1. It’s a brutal yet refined driving experience tailored for both road and track — a formula that defines McLaren’s engineering ethos across generations.

Honoring Le Mans Glory – 30 Years On

McLaren is also celebrating a major motorsport milestone at Goodwood: 30 years since its iconic victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1995, McLaren stunned the motorsport world by winning on its debut, and this year, that legendary F1 GTR makes a rare return to dynamic action — piloted up the hill by none other than JJ Lehto, one of the original winning trio.

Accompanying this Le Mans tribute is the debut of the new 750S Le Mans, a special edition supercar built in homage to the legendary F1 LM. Limited to just 50 units, it features a McLaren Special Operations (MSO) High Downforce Kit designed to elevate track performance while visually echoing the drama of its Le Mans heritage.

Solus GT: A Vision Revisited

Back for a third consecutive appearance is McLaren’s most radical track machine: the Solus GT. This track-only hypercar — powered by a screaming 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 producing 840PS — has become a crowd favorite, famously winning the Timed Shootout Final in 2023. This year, a unique customer-owned Solus GT will once again climb the hill, highlighting MSO’s custom artistry and McLaren’s unfiltered pursuit of performance.

Celebration Editions and Community Spirit

Adding further flair to McLaren’s 2025 lineup are the 750S and Artura Celebration Edition models, each limited to just nine examples. These ultra-exclusive cars feature a bespoke Papaya Orange and Anthracite livery, commemorating McLaren’s 2024 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship triumph. Their dynamic runs at Goodwood are set to be among the festival’s standout moments.

Additionally, McLaren is marking 10 years of its ‘Longtail’ (LT) series — a decade of lightweight, driver-focused evolution. The brand’s Celebrate LT initiative has brought together global LT owners throughout the year, culminating in a special Goodwood appearance. LT models from McLaren’s Heritage collection will feature in the Supercar Paddock and take part in dynamic demonstrations.

From groundbreaking debuts to tributes steeped in racing legend, McLaren’s 2025 Goodwood presence cements its dual identity as both innovator and icon. As the W1 takes center stage and the echoes of Le Mans glory reverberate through the hills of Sussex, McLaren proves once again that it doesn’t just chase performance — it defines it.

Source: McLaren