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After Decades of Battling Ferrari on the Track, McLaren is Bringing the Fight to the Road with An All-New Supercar

September 11, 2009 / By Angus MacKenzie

Racing is in Ron Dennis' blood. Dennis began his racing career in 1966 as a mechanic with Cooper, the British race team whose giant-killing hot-rod Minis are remembered with today's Mini Coopers and the John Cooper Works Special models. Since 1980, he's run McLaren Racing, which has won seven Formula 1 Constructors' World Championships and 10 Drivers' World Championships with drivers such as Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen, and, of course, 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton.

 

The stylish Verve concept previewed Ford’s promised subcompact challenger to Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and other “B-Class” cars. The styling will change--as well as the name--but a Mazda foundation ups the chances for success.

Fuel-stingy minicars are back in vogue, thanks to unstable gas prices. Ford has long promised such a car for its U.S. lineup. In fact, it had one ready several years back, but canceled it on learning the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris would show up.