McLaren and BMW team up for new engine

The phrase, history is doomed to repeat itself, isn't always a harbinger of, well, doom. 

Take the news that McLaren and BMW will be teaming up to create a new generation of combustion engines that will deliver a higher output per capacity than is currently possible. 

The last time these two teamed up was when BMW provided the 6.1-litre V12 engine that powered the vaunted McLaren F1, which held the record as the world's fastest car for more than a decade until it was eclipsed by the Bugatti Veyron. 

However, the project's main aim is more focused on lower emissions from smaller displacement engines, rather than creating a world beating hypercar. 

The British government has also kicked in some funding to help boost the country's ability to develop and produce low-emissions vehicles. 

Development collaborations are becoming more common as car companies strive to lower costs associated with building cars. BMW is already developing a joint sports car with Toyota, which is rumoured to be the next Supra, and Ford and Mazda have previously co-developed the Ranger and BT-50 utes, which are built on the same platform. 

However, the choice to use BMW as its future engine development partner also seems at odds with the relationship that McLaren's Formula One team has with Honda.

• For all the latest McLaren information visit our showroom.