The surprising origin story of the McLaren V8 (ft. 720S and 600LT Spiders)

The McLaren 600LT Spider is the firm's latest convertible supercar, arguably becoming the sweet-spot in the range. But while most videos will be reviewing it, Mike Fernie dives deep into the history of the V8 engine that powers all modern McLarens, tracing its lineage back to the manic Group C era.

Driving on the roads of Arizona, we unearth the interesting origin story behind this savage power plant.

Follow us:

Check out our store:

[weed]

So my neighbour's Mclaren senna has the same pedigree as my 1.0 Nissan micra.

Can’t wait to tell him

[adnaanu]

Very interesting. It seems this is fairly common in the automotive industry. Aston Martins V12 was essentially two Ford V6s bolted together. Koenigsegg V8 was a modified Ford V8. Pagani say its AMG V12 is made only for them but has popped up in an S Class. TVR V8 was derived from a Rover V8. Lamborghini V10 has appeared in many forms in various Audi.

[austingriff]

Thanks for making this known to people. The McLaren V8 is derived from one of my favorite prototype racers of all time. What a monster of an engine back in the day

[ARTHURCBR]

Don't do that hand thingy again .

[Ticc]

I don't get why any channels still do this...Drivetribe, when you start a car to emphasize how good it sounds don't have ANY music playing over the car.


It's not a hard concept to understand.

[KR]

their first V8's in the 12C/P1/650s sound godly compared to the newer ones in my opinion, such a raw note on the older ones

[DreamCarsPro]

So, they have basically the same engine in all their cars since 2009 model McLaren MP4-12C ?! Right?

[erictko]

More like this and I will be watching DRIVETRIBE regularly again. Unique, focused and interesting concept.

[maxxmaxx]

Wow I never knew that the basis for the mclaren engine was a nissan engine.

This a very imformative video.

[leovomend]

froth at the pencil case? this man should not be in charge of written or spoken words

[Zerofightervi]

Drive Tribe is surly watched by people who known what a vee engine configuration is.
There is no need to the hand gestures.

[JoeriSmit]

0:08 did that water tower just tell me to eat ass?

[SebDJ]

I'm sure Drivetribe started out by making some cracking videos... What's happened?

[Sub___Zero]

Cant wait to see *McLaren Νissan MP4/36* in 2021 season !

[timcasey]

I’ve long wondered where it came from as they’re not known as an engine builder quite excited truth be :)

[sdewey]

Also I'm pretty sure i read the 3.8 was an engine made by Nissan and ran in IndyCar (not by Nissan themselves but as a supplier) and that's partly the reason McLaren wanted it as well.

[srsairbags]

Also the P1 motor generator hybrid setup isn't something groundbreaking or anything. It's very common setup compliance vehicles.

[huayrarevo]

Decent amount of content
Loved the video
You guys got a new subscriber

[SuperMechguy]

I can't for all the comment section being filled with "Cool Nissan"

[benireland]

Isn’t a 6 cylinder (V6) version of this engine what’s in the Nissan GTR?