NEWS EXCLUSIVE: New GM-backed V8 'Supercar Systems' Hypercar

Road Magazine has an exclusive on one of the most ground-breaking and certainly the fastest Hypercars ever created. The brand new, British engineered (by our pals Z Cars) Hypercar is being created, with support from GM (and the 500 Group) in the USA no less, by Supercar Systems, and we will bring you all the news, images, videos and details here and on our Facebook page. So stay tuned.
Meantime, do check out this mind-blowing video of our pal, Tim Schrick testing the car at the Nurburgring last year – which we and Royle Media (PR agents for the project) arranged. Just watch as Tim gets settled and destroys Porsches, Ferrari, Lotus and the new BAC Mono track super star. Deeply impressive eh?
And this when the car was still in early R&D phases... in the 700bhp supercharged V8 (640bhp per tonne) version. A twin turbo version coming after launch of the initial models will knock out over 1,000bhp (940bhp per tonne), in a car weighing just 1,100Kg! These incredible mid-engine V8 Supercar Systems hypercars are still in R&D and the final stages of the body design process currently, with full FIA approval for the chassis also being arranged along with a raft of other safety sign offs. But we can tell you it will be a very special, super safe, amazingly affordable, dynamically superior, ultra lightweight, potent and powerful, low, wide and aggressive monster, with some eye-watering stats and specs, like these:




The Supercar Systems cars will come with a range of GM V8 engines – normally-aspirated, supercharged and twin turbocharged – ranging from the base LS3 model with 455bhp per tonne, to the LS7 version with 500bhp per ton, to LS9 with 630-650bhp per tonne and right up to the special LSTT 1,000bhp+ twin turbo V8 version.
And it's not all about power. There will be a truly superb engineering spec, with Ohlins suspension, Tilton carbon-disc (anti-lock) brakes, lightweight OZ wheels, Michelin rubber, huge downforce aero kit, traction control system and a stunning/practical/stylish interior, with a full FIA roll cage. And it will have great 360-degree visibility, plenty of room inside, a nice interior and more besides, making it a safe and comfortable place to go incredibly fast!
The basic, initial performance aims are to lap the Nurburgring in under seven minutes (which based on the evidence of this testing, slow warm-up R&D video, will be no issue), knock out a 0-60mph in under three seconds, blitz the quarter mile in just 10-seconds and yet still be capable of 25-27mpg. Wowzers! Best of all, it's going to be a whole lot more affordable – as well as powerful and faster – than most super cars. And it'll have main dealer GM parts and support.Prices are TBC, but expect twice the power of a GT3 RS for roughly half the price!

PLUS... there's a chance for YOU to get involved with the project now! As part of a unique "early customer program" the Supercar System team are looking for volunteers who will want one of these incredible cars first off the production line to get involved and be included in the final R&D phases, a proper test session withTim Schrick at the Nurburgring and more cool, exciting stuff. If that's you, email our pals at Z Cars on sales@zcars.org.uk. Plus, there may well be a chance to have a say on the final design of the bodywork too.
This is a deeply exciting project and one we can not wait to get behind the wheel off, not to mention bring you all the details – here on our blog and in Road Magazine. Remember, you heard it here first folks!

VIDEO: McLaren P1™ "The Best Driver's Car In The World"

Check out this beautiful short film about the next incredible McLaren to be unveiled soon – the McLaren P1™– shot here undergoing testing, in 'XP development car' spec, carrying race track-inspired camouflage, as you can see with pictures on our Facebook page. Incredible looking thing eh?
McLaren say: "The McLaren P1™ was unveiled to the world as a design study at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012, and was met with the glare of a thousand camera flashes. Since then, development of the technology beneath the carbon fibre skin has continued at great pace. The team at McLaren Automotive has continued the relentless testing programme for the car. The goal being: to produce the best driver’s car in the world on road and track."
McLaren are pouring all their MP4-12C experience and five decades of F1 and motorsport know-how into the car and are promising "to raise the supercar performance bar."
They say: "Using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) aerodynamic modelling and bespoke Formula 1™-derived dynamics simulation tools, outstanding performance against aggressive targets was established even before the first prototype builds.  Detailed analysis has continued hand in hand with physical testing to accelerate the further development of the McLaren P1™. A dedicated team of McLaren engineers, technicians and racing drivers are running a fleet of XP-codenamed vehicles, around the clock in some of the most demanding conditions, and on roads and circuits across the globe. The rigorous testing procedures for the McLaren P1™ have seen the development team working closely with McLaren Automotive technology partners on bespoke components and developments, including Akebono on a highly-efficient braking system, Pirelli on high performance tyres and Mobil 1 on leading cooling, lubrication and hydraulic fluids. As all these activities converge on the final specification, a remarkable vehicle is emerging.  The McLaren P1™ is set to deliver truly outstanding road and track dynamics and performance, coupled with levels of driveability and refinement unprecedented in such a supercar. The obsession to detail which McLaren is known for carries through with the work being done by the McLaren P1™ development team. This fascination that everything should be designed for a reason has filtered down even to the striking camouflage being worn on the development cars. Designed in-house by the team behind the shape of the car, the graphic incorporates the outlines of famous circuits from across the world, each of which is significant in the history of the brand."
The race is now on for the McLaren P1™ ahead of the next public appearance… and tickets for that are going to fought over, for sure. Incredible stuff!