We’ll admit that we have a tendency to bang on a bit at crankandpiston about the McLaren MP4-12C, though if you’ve read about the marque’s GT1 World Championship season so far, our drive through the Hajar mountains, and our tour of the McLaren Technology Centre, you’ll hopefully understand why.

Of course news that the 3.8l twin-turbo V8 powering the MP4-etc has now been beefed up a notch on the new 2013 model doesn’t help keep us quiet. Those cheeky Woking chappies also highlighting improvements like the ‘crisper throttle response’ and ‘faster and smoother performance’ only gets us champing ever-harder at the bit.

The main change is the additional 25hp, which brings the full total up to 616hp. Now granted, on your way to 100kph from standstill you’re not going to see much difference to the established 3.1s time. You’ll shave 0.1s on your heavy-footed approach to 200kph but not much else.

The good news is that the 2013 MP4-12C will hit 300kph one second faster than the old model, but chances are the swarm of sirens and blue flashing lights in your rear view mirror will be your primary concern should you attempt this on the road. Then again a new and improved 333kph top speed should keep you laughing as you hair across country to the nearest border.