Tuesday 24th February 2015

McLaren P1 GTR - full details [UPDATED]

P1 GTR revealed in all its Le Mans liveried glory [Updated with video]

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We're easily bought. Any possible cynicism about McLaren's Ferrari FXX K rivalling P1 GTR and its associated driver programme have been completely painted over by a Le Mans-aping Harrods livery, referencing the F1 GTR driven to third place in the 1995 24-hour race.

Yep, that'll deal with any cynicism...

In a busy day for pre-Geneva announcements even a 1,000hp McLaren was going to have to work hard to pluck our heartstrings. But the collective 'ooohs' when we first opened these official snaps of the P1 GTR in its final motor show paintjob will no doubt be repeated when we see it in the carbon in a couple of weeks. From what we hear it'll be joined on the stand by the #06R F1 that inspired it too. Which will be nice.

Anyway, as is the McLaren style we've been bombarded with drip-fed teaser information about the track-only P1 GTR but finally - in addition to that paintjob - we've got some proper hard facts on the car. To re-cap, the P1's IPAS (aka Instant Power Assist) enhanced 3.8-litre V8 petrol engine now has 800hp with an additional 200hp of electric power on demand, up from 737hp and 179hp in the road car. What McLaren describes as "key components" have been replaced with "motorsport derived parts", while stripping out road homologation requirements has also saved weight. This includes the rather fierce looking Inconel/titanium exhausts that save 6.5kg themselves.

Rear wing 100mm higher; retains DRS

Overall the GTR weighs 50kg less than the roadgoing P1, which given it's 80mm wider at the front and carries additional aero is a pretty impressive figure. Speaking of aero you'll notice the P1's fancy adjustable rear wing has been replaced by a larger item - it's fixed in position 100mm higher than even the Track setting on the road car's wing but retains the DRS function and can pivot between 0 and 32 degrees according to whether you want reduced drag for the straights or maximum downforce for the corners. This function is controlled by a DRS button on the wheel. Overall downforce is up by 10 per cent over the road car, equating to 660kg at 150mph. Other racy features include carbon roof panels to replace the glass ones of the road car and polycarbonate side windows.

McLaren hasn't lavished all this work on the car just to let any old pie-eater behind the wheel though; before being allowed in the car participants in what's called the McLaren P1 Driver Programme will first have "individual driver profiling sessions" at the McLaren Technology Centre. This will include a seat fitting, a 'Human Performance Centre' assessment and, once you've got your breath back, an opportunity to discuss your favoured livery with McLaren design boss Frank Stephenson. Bagsy the #59 Le Mans winning F1 GTR Tokyo Ueno colourscheme please! From there you'll progress to a test at Silverstone followed by the first real outing at Circuit de Catalunya.

In a rationalisation of the McLaren range it's been confirmed the P1 models are now top of a three-tier model range known as the Ultimate Series. The 650S (and 625C and 675LT variants) are the Super Series while the new 'entry level' range will, of course, be known as the Sports Series.

P1 and F1 video here.

 

 

[McAndy]

I'm sorry, but for me to have my cynicism removed it needs to actually have racing pedigree. It looks good and I'm sure it is an excellent piece of engineering, but they've sullied the GTR name for me.

As an aside, is there actually a current race series that would take it, since GT1 has died?

[McAndy]

slinky said:

Did the F1 GTR have any pedigree prior to the name being adopted?

No, so there was no way of sullying it's association with successful McLaren racing.

Additionally, there is no plan to take this one racing (that I am aware of).

[McAndy]

PBDirector said:

What an odd thing to say?! Are you able to explain why you think that?

Rich_W said:

Grand
Tourismo
Race

When F1 GTR was launched it was as a race car. GTR on a road car which will likely never race (and it needs to race BEFORE the road variant gets that moniker) is as stupid as Ferrari and their 599 GTO. A badge special with no racing history.

They could have called that 599 Scuderia and it would have been fine. But to GTO

I'm with the original poster. P1 GT would have been fine. Even P1 GTX or even dafter P1 Team Edition. But GTR is because race car and must always be!

As for the Harrods livery. Makes no odds to me on this mock up. Though you'd think they would use the Ueno Clinic colours since that was the car that actually won in 95.

What Rich said.

With regards to the livery, I think it looks great. I actually really like many homages to classic liveries, this one included. To answer the specific 918 Martini that was raised: I think that it doesn't look very good.

[McAndy]

NRS said:

Huh? It's a track only car, not a road car. It will race, just not in a more "competitive" series. If you're going to have a problem with the name it should be the Grand Turismmo part surely?!

Not in any series that I've seen; it will simply be driven only on circuits.

[McAndy]

NRS said:

I was meaning between the owners on track, not a main series, which is why I had phrased it as "competitive" series.

Perhaps my misunderstanding then: are they actually going to be competing against each other? I was under the impressions that it would be the wealthy having a track toy that McLaren could feed data back into their GT3 programme from.

[McAndy]

They look cracking.