MCE MC1 supercar (2008): first official pictures

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

21 January 2008 09:46

Last autumn, CAR's spy photographers caught a mystery supercar test mule at a Midlands track, sparking a frenzy of speculation that it was the next supercar from Lotus, McLaren, Noble and other specialist sports car firms. Dozens of readers posted their suggestions, helping us to narrow down the chase.

CAR discovered that it was a much-delayed tie-up between C2P Automotive and MotorCity Europe. Now MotorCity, a design consultancy based in Germany, is back with its own supercar. These are the first official manufacturer renderings and video of its own 600bhp V10 supercar, the MC1

MotorCity, who are involved in the design of the mystery supercar, plan for the MC1 to reach production in 2011. The company states that an unnamed British coachbuilder will carry out production. C2P Automotive, based in Milton Keynes, has carried out development work on the mystery supercar so far, and it remains the most likely company to build the MC1.

Low and long, the MC1 is slightly shorter and narrower than a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, and a mere 15mm higher. Billed as a ‘production concept’, the MC1 sits on 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels, with a carbonfibre monocoque, beautifully engineered scissor doors, and stacked twin central exhausts.

The MC1 has been designed by David Hilton, whose previous freelance credits include work on the Ford Focus RS and S-Max. 'Initially I wanted to demonstrate that, in a short time, one designer can create and build a fresh design which is still possible for street development,' he told CAR Online. 'This has helped immensely in order to quickly sell the concept under limited budget constraints.'

Whether the deeply recessed rear lights, ultra-low headlamps, or outrageous bodywork reach series production remains to be seen - we've seen too many low-volume British sportscar hopefuls crash and burn in the past.

But there's no arguing that the MC1 definitely has the looks of a supercar. 

Watch the MC1 video by clicking on the media player below

By Ben Pulman