What's the news?

Get ready for the 650S - the forthcoming new supercar from McLaren. Details on the new car are embargoed until March 19, but we can tell you that it will be positioned in between the 12C supercar and sold-out P1 hypercar. The new 650S is set to be revealed officially at the Geneva Motor show at the beginning of next month. McLaren says the car is "designed and developed to offer the enthusiast driver the ultimate in luxury, engagement and excitement, as well as dramatic yet beautiful styling."

Exterior

The new 650S is based on the McLaren 12C, but is known to feature aggressive styling changes and borrows a P1-styled front nose. Whilst we don't have any photographs to share, rumours suggest that two versions will be available: one of them with a distinctive carbon based kit for a more extreme look. In many respects, this should answer the criticisms the original 12C received for its generic supercar design. Indeed, we hear the new 12C's replacement - to be shown later in 2014 - will take many of the 650S's styling cues.

Mechanicals

So far, we understand the engine will be a 3.8-litre V8 pumping out 650hp - where the new car's name is derived from. Power is up from the 12C's 616hp from the same engine. McLaren is being tight-lipped over the new supercar's performance stats, but we're told more details will emerge in the lead up to the Geneva Show. Pricing has yet to be announced, but press speculation at the moment runs from about £175,000 to €200,000 in the UK.

Anything else?

It's certainly busy times at the McLaren Technology Centre in Surrey. We hear also that a Porsche 911-swatting rival is in the wings and undergoing development. Potentially, adding a fourth road car to the McLaren portfolio. So, watch this space.