McLaren P1 GTR revealed

McLaren has revealed the final production version of the P1 GTR. It is the ultimate track-only incarnation of the Woking firm’s P1 hypercar.

The 986bhp P1 GTR was first seen in design concept form at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2014. Now in its final form, the P1 GTR will star at the Geneva motor show 2015 with its design further optimised for aerodynamic performance and cooling.

The Instant Power Assist System powertrain’s power output has been significantly boosted over its application in the road-going P1. The twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 now produces 789bhp (up from 727bhp in the standard P1) and the electric motor has 197bhp (up from 176bhp). The combined output is 986bhp, up from 903bhp. Weight has also been saved by removing powertrain features designed specifically for road use.

The aerodynamic package on the P1 GTR is even more extensive than on the P1 road car. The most striking element is the large, fixed rear wing, which sits 400mm above the bodywork, 100mm more than the adjustable rear wing on the road car at its highest setting. This wing works with the aerodynamic flaps in front of the front wheels, and the whole package produces 10 percent more downforce than the P1 road car, at 660kg at 240kph. The Drag Reduction System of the P1 road car has been retained.

As with the design concept, the P1 GTR production car has an aerodynamic blade running along the lower bodywork, which is said to smoothen airflow. A more aggressive front splitter is also used. Lightweight features on the P1 GTR reduce the P1 road car’s 1,490kg weight by 50kg. These include the use of motorsport-spec polycarbonate for the side window, carbonfibre panels for the roof and engine bay in place of glass, and twin exhaust pipes made from an Inconel and titanium alloy.

The front track of the P1 GTR is 80mm wider than that of the P1 road car, and it sits 50mm lower to the ground on a fixed ride height. It runs on 19-inch centre-locking motorsport alloy wheels with slick Pirelli tyres.

This P1 GTR is finished in the same yellow and green livery as the Harrods-sponsored F1 GTR chassis #06R that finished on the podium at Le Mans in 1995. Offered for sale to only the 375 existing P1 road car owners, the P1 GTR includes entry to the McLaren P1 Driver Programme. This is similar to Ferrari’s XX programme, and includes a driver profiling session with McLaren that includes a bespoke seat fitting, a design and livery consultation with design chief Frank Stephenson and a go in McLaren’s simulator. An initial testing session for owners will take place at Silverstone, before a proper track session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain.

Rivals for the hardcore P1 include the LaFerrari FXX K and the recently announced Aston Martin Vulcan.

Comments

2018 Lamborghini Urus India review, test drive

On first introduction, it’s a recipe for intimidation. It’s claimed to be the fastest SUV in the world (0-100kph in 3.6sec and a top speed of 305kph puts it nearly in supercar territory), and it’s made by Lamborghini – creator of some of the most savage vehicles on the market. Things – as with any Lamborghini, for that matter – would be a lot less daunting if we were driving on a smooth European country road, a wide motorway, or even a race track. But today we’re driving the Urus on a narrow ghat road, as well as through some heavy Pune traffic. Perhaps the intention was to demonstrate that this is the first Lamborghini ever to go on sale in India that truly works in our conditions – but still, I doubt they accounted for rush hour. It’s requisitely mad to look at, employing as many ‘sporty’ design tropes to an SUV body style as possible – the only thing missing is a massive wing on the back; and somehow, it works. It’s ...

Honda CB Unicorn 160 vs Suzuki Gixxer comparison

There is no replacement for displacement, as goes the old American saying, with which the rest of the world often nods in agreement. Increase in the number of cubic centimeters of fuel that our engines burn, seems only to be a pleasant idea to almost every petrolhead. More power, more torque and a healthier sounding grunt from the exhaust are the common expectations from larger engines. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) has walked this same path, to add 10 extra cubic centimeters of capacity to the now proven CB Unicorn engine, to make the Honda CB Unicorn 160. FROLIC FASHION Although some of the features of the older CB Unicorn have been bettered, we’ve gone ahead and pitched it right in at the deep end, to face off against the very best in the segment to find out the exact degree to which this motorcycle has improved. So, in steps the Suzuki Gixxer, a Japanese-made premium commuter that’s fast rising to the top of its segment, with enough promise to overshadow all o...

Land Rover Discovery Sport review

Two things. To start with, it’s Land Rover’s replacement for the popular and capable Freelander. It’s also the first of the models from Land Rover’s new Discovery sub-brand, one that will focus on utility in the same vein as the Range Rover line is about luxury. The Discovery Sport was shown as a concept last year and the production version’s styling doesn’t stray too far from the prototype. It’s smart, well proportioned and interesting but doesn’t have the show value of something like an Evoque. Still, there’s a certain honesty to the chunky shape which, if you think about it, more than links the Sport to the Freelander. The Sport is 91mm longer than its predecessor and also sits on a wheelbase that’s grown by 80mm. These increments, and the incorporation of a compact multi-link rear suspension, have allowed Land Rover to fit in a third row of seats, giving the Sport a big advantage over its five-seat competitors – the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Volvo XC60. But Land Rover is being cau...

Automobilestillnow

Search This Blog