Geneva show: McLaren unveils production P1 GTR
BY DANIEL GARDNER | 19th Feb 2015
The most obvious alteration to the production car is its decoration and while customers will be able to choose their own paint job with the help of McLaren design director Frank Stephenson, the showcar shares the livery of the 1995 Le Mans 24-hour-winning McLaren F1.
Less obvious changes consist of aerodynamic enhancements that have resulted in 10 per cent greater downforce compared to the P1 road car, while the development of more lightweight components has stripped another 50kg from the 'standard' kerb weight.
The handful of lucky GTR owners will be pleased to hear power output is unchanged from the concept version, with the highly-strung hybrid system pumping out a massive 735kW when its 3.8-litre turbo V8 and 147kW electric motor are combined.
Pricing is unlikely to be divulged to anyone other than potential customers but the bottom line includes the keys to one of the world's most potent track-cars and a comprehensive driver program, with the calendar now locked-in.
An initial test session will kick off the series of track days at Silverstone in the United Kingdom about an hour away from the supercar builder's headquarters in Woking, Surrey.
P1 GTR owners will get their first taste of racing action at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain later in the year, but each driver will also receive a preliminary individual 'profiling session' at the McLaren headquarters.
Features that have carried over from the original concept include 19-inch centre-lock racing wheels, an 80mm widened track, 50mm-lower suspension and a fixed rear wing that replaces the deployable road version.
Improved aerodynamics have boosted cooling while generating a substantial 660kg of downforce at 240km/h, but drag can be dumped but flattening the wing on straight sections of circuit with a steering wheel control to increase speed.
Built in air jacks, a roof-mounted air intake, polycarbonate side windows and Inconel/titanium alloy high-exit exhausts are all standard fare on the racer.
McLaren has not released acceleration or top speed figures for the vicious circuit monster, but performance is expected to be eye-opening.
The road-going McLaren P1 is not offered for sale in Australia but as the GTR version is strictly limited to the circuit and includes track time, McLaren enthusiasts Down Under might find it an enticing option.
The P1 GTR will be on display at the Geneva motorshow, which opens its gates on March 3, alongside another track-focused car – the as yet unseen McLaren 675LT.
