The 2011 McLaren MP4-12C will use a near-600-horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine that McLaren claims is "more power-efficient than a hybrid." See pictures of future hybrid cars.

Consumer Guide's Impressions of the 2011 McLaren MP4-12C

A legendary auto-racing power unwraps the first of three planned mid-engine sports cars--a slinky challenger to the new Ferrari 458 Italia and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The MP4-12C is all about defying convention and rewriting the rules of exotic-car design.

What We Know About the 2011 McLaren MP4-12C

Britain's McLaren Group is the reigning power in Formula One (F1) auto racing, thanks to the talents of boss Ron Dennis and ace driver Lewis Hamilton. Founded over 40 years ago by the legendary Bruce McLaren, the company is no less famed for the awe-inspiring F1 sports car of the 1990s, which has only lately been excelled for performance and handling--and then not by much. It also built and co-developed the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the rare and rapid front-engine "McMerc" that bowed in coupe form during 2005 and winds down production in 2009 as a limited-edition roadster.

Now Woking, England-based McLaren is going its own way again with not one, but three new exotic road-burners incorporating the company's latest track-tested technology. If all goes according to plan, production at the McLaren Automotive division will balloon from about 100 units each year to some 4,000 per annum by 2015 or so, putting the company on a volume par with the likes of Italian greats Ferrari and Lamborghini.

The first of the new models has lately been revealed as the McLaren MP4-12C. Widely anticipated as project P11, the mid-engine two-seater is planned to start sale in early 2011, so it could be designated a 2012 model. Announced first-year production is around 1,000 units, with perhaps half earmarked for the U.S.

McLaren says the 12C will compete in what it calls the "core" high-performance sports-car market with a price of £125,000-£175,000--roughly $200,000-$285,000 at current exchange rates. Named competitors are the new Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo, and Porsche 911 Turbo, as well as the more luxury-focused Aston Martin DB9 and Bentley Continental GT. Left unmentioned is the new 2010 SLS AMG "gullwing" coupe developed by the performance arm of erstwhile partner Mercedes.

For more inside information on hundreds of new cars of today and tomorrow, check out:

• 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo Review and Photos
  
• 2009 Consumer Guide Best Buy and Recommended Award Winners: Check out which cars won our Best Buy and Recommended awards for 2009.
• Future Cars: Step into the automotive showroom of tomorrow with reviews, analysis, pictures, prices, and preliminary specifications on scores of vehicles that will be appearing next year and beyond.