Artist Unveils Renderings of McLaren MP4-12C GTR

SURREY, England — McLaren already unveiled its production version of the 2011 MP4-12C supercar and says it has no plans to build a racing variant. Artist Jon Sibal saw this as a problem and decided to render his own GTR version of the MP4-12C and dress up the McLaren supercar in a variety of different racing liveries.

"This car got me wondering what other variants this model might produce. No idea if McLaren will even make them but I thought to just have a go at the MP4-12C in a GTR configuration," said Sibal on his Web Site.

The artist starts off with a "Test Car" track variant of the MP4-12C that's outfitted with OZ wheels, a front splitter, rocker panels and a huge rear wing. He also pays homage to some of the classic racing liveries that the McLaren F1 GTR has donned in the past with his "Gulf," "Marlboro" and "FINA" versions of the car.

The actual MP4-12C features a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 that makes 600 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. It also gets a dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox and has a unique one-piece carbon-fiber passenger compartment. Pricing starts at $250,000, and deliveries will begin in early 2011.

Inside Line says: It's cool to see a racing version of the new MP4-12C supercar — maybe this will give McLaren some ideas. — Mike Lysaght, Correspondent