The McLaren MP4-12C looks a hell of a car

Well I haven't driven it yet - not many have - and it's still officially at the prototype stage.

But I've had a good look round what is pretty much the finished McLaren MP4-12C. I've felt it, smelt it and sat in it.

And it looks a hell of a car writes motoring editor Peter Carroll.

When the British-built model arrives some time next year it will be one of the most eagerly-anticipated supercars for decades.

Thanks to its extensive Formula 1 experience McLaren knows how to make rapid road cars too and proved it with the scorching McLaren F1 of 1992 and popular Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

And the early signs are that the 12C will be just as formidable.

It's extremely light, thanks to its Carbon MonoCell chassis and the fact that every component has been designed from scratch with a view to keeping the weight down. The forged aluminium hub brakes, for example, are 8kg lighter than their ceramic equivalents.

Power comes from a 3.7 litre twin-turbo petrol engine, developing nearly 600bhp. This is mated to a seven speed Seamless Shift dual clutch gearbox. Performance, I should imagine, will be ample.

But supercars are no different from other cars in that they sell on style.

The 12C is perhaps not as classically elegant as some of the best Ferrari designs, nor as futuristic as something like the exotic Lamborghini Reventon.

But it looks dramatic and purposeful and everything is where it is for a reason. The huge gills are there to suck in air and cool the engine rather than just for show.

There's a further honeycomb of vents at the back of the car, near its engine.

Once you have installed yourself behind the wheel via the butterfly (or 'dihedral' for techies) doors you are greeted with a sporting yet businesslike interior.

It's most noticeable feature is its flying buttress centre console which contain a sat nav screen in portrait, rather than the usual landscape mode.

There's nothing too flash or brash - it looks a serious piece of kit.

And, assuming the drive lives up to expectations, I suspect it will do very well.

• First glimpse of McLaren MP4 12C - with picture gallery