McLaren reportedly at work on its next big thing

While we're getting ready for the soon-to-be-released McLaren MP4-12C, the British sports-car maker is at work on its next project.

McLaren is aiming for a 2014 launch for a sports car that is larger than the MP4-12C, according to the Web site of the U.K.'s Autocar magazine.

The magazine says McLaren is working with engineering firm Ricardo to develop a 5.0-liter engine that cranks out nearly 800 hp.

Like the MP4-12C, the new McLaren would make extensive use of carbon fiber in its body. Performance targets include running from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and breaking the 200-mph mark in 20 seconds--which would make the car faster to that speed than the Bugatti Veyron.

The list of technologies is expected to include active aerodynamics.

McLaren looks to limit production to just 500 units, Autocar says. And the price? Somewhere in the neighborhood of $500,000 to $570,000 at current exchange rates.

After speaking with sources from McLaren, the company only would confirm that a new model or derivative will be released every year well into the second half of the decade. And, that every future car will use the carbon chassis that was pioneered on the MP4-1 race car.

McLaren also confirmed that they are currently on the hunt for hybrid engineers as they investigate the potential for new alternative powertrains.

By Jake Lingeman