McLaren’s number two man Mike Flewitt recently shed more light on the details and the character of their upcoming new sports car, known as the P13. As expected, McLaren P13 has set its sights firmly on the best of the world’s sports cars like Porsche 911, Ferrari 458, and Audi R8.

To that end, McLaren P13 is going to be a very practical sports car. That is, as practical as they can make a mid-engined car. The P13 shares its carbon tub with the 12C and the 650S and has the same layout. However, the tub’s sills will be modified to ease access, and there are even talks of a GT-style variant with a big boot.

Flewitt assures us that the practicality concerns are not going to affect the driving experience of the P13. The car will be a full-on McLaren in that sense, a “very engaging car to drive.”

McLaren P13 will also be powered by the same 3.8 liter bi-turbo engine you find in the 12C, the 650S and the P1. That is the only engine McLaren makes at the moment. It will be de-tuned for use in the sports car to around 500 horsepower, which would be enough for a 0-60 time of about 4 seconds, and top speed of 185 mph – right on target to cause Porsche 911 some serious trouble.

Via Autocar