The second generation of McLaren’s so-called Super Series — that’s the 650S and 675LT and all of their wonderful variants — is coming to the 2017 Geneva motor show, and to pique our interest, the automaker shared a teaser photo of sorts that doesn’t really attempt to hide anything. In fact, it’s quite the opposite: what you see here is a crystal-clear look at the upcoming car’s carbon-fiber bones.

Dubbed the Monocage II, it will underpin what is known (for now at least) as the P14. What’s in a name? In the case of this structure, potentially quite a bit.

To briefly review the way McLaren structures its lineup: The “entry-level” Sport Series, which includes the 570S, is built around what McLaren calls the MonoCell. The Super Series presently uses that same MonoCell structure, but the Ultimate Series — that includes the P1 and its derivatives — uses what’s called the Monocage.

Perhaps this nomenclature change signals a move to position the Super Series closer to the range-topping, sadly discontinued hypercar; we expect to find out more at Geneva. Until then, know that the finished vehicle will, at 2,828 pounds dry, be 40 pounds lighter than the comparably specced 650S it replaces.

Aside from the requisite performance attributes (lighter, stiffer, lower center of gravity, etc.) the Monocage II also benefits from lower doorsills. Note how they seem to angle downward toward the front of the end of the car; along with wider door openings that cut deeply into the roof, this should help make your entry and egress a bit more elegant. Plus, there’s said to be improved visibility (always a plus in an exotic), and if you want to show off the carbon-fiber weave, there’s an option to leave the A-pillars exposed.

McLaren says the car we’ll see in Geneva will be the first of 15 new cars coming between now and 2022. We’ll do our best to keep track of all of them for you — and to drive as many of them as we possibly can.

Graham Kozak – Graham Kozak drove a 1951 Packard 200 sedan in high school because he wanted something that would be easy to find in a parking lot. He thinks all the things they’re doing with fuel injection and seatbelts these days are pretty nifty too.
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