Last November, Force India signed a five-year partnership deal with McLaren and Mercedes and will replace their Ferrari engines with a complete drivetrain package in the new season.

'The new car, VJM02, is under construction. It will have a McLaren gearbox and Mercedes engine, which is a big change from VJM01,' team co-owner Vijay Mallya was quoted as saying by the Indian media on Monday.

'We are going to unveil it at Jerez (Spain) in early March,' the Indian billionaire added. The team will also use a KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) designed by McLaren and Mercedes and is rushing to ensure the car is ready for the season-opening race in Melbourne on March 29.

'We will have six days to test, which I think is enough,' Mr Mallya added.

'Besides, the facilities at our Silverstone factory is up to the mark and I think we would be ready for the first race.'

Force India failed to score a point in its first season and confirmed last month that Italian Giancarlo Fisichella and German Adrian Sutil will race for them in 2009. -- REUTERS