McLaren have unveiled what they are calling an “F1 car for the road” – the 240mph MP4-12C.  Drawing on their heritage in Formula 1, McLaren claim to have employed technical innovations usually only found in racing cars, while using adaptable suspension technology to make it usable day-to-day.

Lining up as the successor to McLaren’s 1990s F1 – at the time the fastest production car in the world – is a hard act to follow, but the MP4 doesn’t seem to be lacking in the performance department.  The engine is a 3.8 litre V8 twin turbo pushing out 600bhp, allowing a 0-60 time of just 3.4 seconds.  The 2-seater’s body is made primarily from carbon fibre to reduce weight and increase rigidity, and the all-important supercar gullwing doors are present.

The bad news?  Even if your pockets are deep enough to handle the “affordable” £150,000 price tag, you’re still going to have to wait until 2011.  The good news?  It’s made in Surrey, so if you need an excuse, buy local.

McLaren website