New York show: 2015 McLaren '570S' shown drifting on ice (video)

CAR BUYERS searching for the ultimate sports car for around £120,000 have no shortage of choice. As Driving’s reviews show, there are desirable cars such as the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Audi R8, BMW i8, Jaguar F-type R and Porsche 911 Turbo. All are capable of standing your hair on end – but McLaren thinks it can do better, and its answer, the Sports Series model, will be revealed next week at the New York motor show.

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The company has released a glimpse of its new entry-level model in a video, showing a prototype being driven in cold-weather durability tests in Scandinavia. At the same time a picture of the door has been released – a tease that the company hopes will capture the attention of loyal Aston Martin or Porsche drivers.

The new Sports Series is tipped to be called the 570S, a reference to the power output of its turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 engine, an engine it shares with the range of McLaren sports cars. Also shared is the light but strong carbon fibre monocoque, which is similar to that of a racing car.

It will be a two-seat model and there are likely to be both coupé and Spider convertible models if McLaren wants to match its rivals for choice. The 570S is expected to cost in the region of £140,000, whereas the current 650S – the current baby of the range – is over £195,000.

The buyers that can bear the wait will find further detail of the McLaren 570S published here when the New York motor show starts in April.