McLaren MP4-12 650S hits the Web ahead of official Geneva reveal

Images of the new McLaren MP4-12 650S have leaked to the Internet ahead of a planned unveiling for the British supercar at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.

Created in response to customer demand for an edgier version of the McLaren MP4-12C offering greater levels of driver engagement, the 650S runs a more heavily tuned version of McLaren's twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 direct-injection engine producing a claimed 25 hp more than the variant used by standard sibling for a total of 641 hp (as its name suggests 650 ps -- metric hp).

Further details remain scarce ahead of the MP4-12C 650S's official public unveiling in Switzerland two weeks from now, although information passed on to prospective customers at a private presentation of the new two-seater held last week suggest it is also in line to receive a series of modifications to its seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, suspension, steering, brakes and aerodynamics -- all aimed at providing it with a more aggressive nature and added racetrack ability.

Along with the various mechanical and aerodynamic changes, the MP4-12C 650S is also claimed to adopt a lightened carbon fiber body and other weight-saving measures, including carbon fiber seats from McLaren's recently launched gas-electric hybrid powered flagship supercar, the P1.

The 650S is distinguished from its standard MP4-12C by a new front bumper resembling that of the P1 together with various other exterior styling changes, as revealed by the leaked images.

We'll have complete details when the new MP4-12 650S is revealed in Geneva.

Front view of the McLaren MP4-12 650S supercar.

By Greg Kable