No, this is not a toy car. This is the new McLaren P1, the very highly anticipated replacement for the legendary McLaren F1, set for debut at the Paris Motor Show in a few days. McLaren says the P1 is designed to be the best driver’s car in the world on road and track, and that it is heavily inspired, both technologically and spiritually, by the company’s racing division.

In 12 months the P1 will complete the transition from being a concept into a full production model. McLaren is adamant that this car is going to introduce a whole new level of sophistication and performance. The fact that it sits above the MP4-12C should tell you how brilliant it is.

In terms of design, well, it’s interesting, isn’t it. The headlights are modeled on McLaren’s logo, which is cool, and the car seems to be smiling at you like a nice and cuddly Japanese cartoon character. It’s a deceptive smile though. The power and performance behind that smile is so viscous, it might even give the mighty Veyron a couple of reasons to be worried. We have to say it also reminds us, to some extent, of SSC Tuatara.

Stay tuned for more details on McLaren F1 as we get closer to the Paris Motor Show.

The McLaren P1 will be the result of 50 years of racing and road car heritage,’ says McLaren Automotive Executive Chairman Ron Dennis. ‘Twenty years ago we raised the supercar performance bar with the McLaren F1 and our goal with the McLaren P1 is to redefine it once again.’

’‘Our aim is not necessarily to be the fastest in absolute top speed but to be the quickest and most rewarding series production road car on a circuit,’ says McLaren Automotive Managing Director Antony Sheriff. ‘It is the true test of a supercar’s all round ability and a much more important technical statement. Our goal is to make the McLaren P1 the most exciting, most capable, most technologically advanced and most dynamically accomplished supercar ever made.’