Lanzante P1 GT - it's here!
The 600LT isn't the only 'Longtail' McLaren to look out for at Festival of Speed
It was the 2015 Geneva Motor Show at which the world was reminded - as if we needed to be - of the McLaren F1 GT, resplendent as it was in deep bottle green on McLaren's stand. It was there to provide a link to the 675LT, which was making its debut at the show. The F1 GT was the original 'longtail' because, well, it was 60cm longer than a regular F1, and so there was no better car for the 21st century LT relaunch.
Now McLaren is continuing the LT story with the upcoming Sports Series car, so Lanzante has created its version of another 'true' Longtail. That's because, in the spirit of the F1 GT, it's created a P1 GT - and now we know what it looks like.
You'll know Lanzante from, amongst other things, its bonkers, 'P1 LM' road car conversions of the P1 GTR, the car which set a 6:43.2 Nurburgring lap last year. It has a long and illustrious history with McLaren, set to continue with this P1 GT.
There's little mistaking this for a plain P1, the GT longer and much more streamlined. Notable points already include the roof scoop, an elongated rear deck, louvres above the front wheels and a prominent rear wing. The shape could well open up the potential of a higher top speed for the GT compared to a regular P1, though nothing performance-wise has been announced yet.
The GT is said to have been commissioned by a Lanzante customer in the Middle East; with three F1 GTs made back in the 90s, it's expected that another couple such conversions will take place for this car too. They are being built from existing P1s - additional cars are not being created for the GT project.
Lanzante has a slot at the Festival of Speed arranged for the official debut of the GT. Expect a few more details ahead of that date, hopefully including just how fast it might be - imagine the top speed potential using the 1,000hp P1 GTR powertrain. More news as it arrives!
[Images from Giles Rozier, Harry Rudd and Lanzante]
In regards to the P1 and Senna they are very "different" beasts as is the F1.
The F1 was to be the ultimate road car, the P1 to be technological on road and track (although the P1 I think was more limited by the weight etc.) and the Senna really is just aiming to be a track car that happens to wear numberplates.
We may be "splitting hairs" as it were, but I think each has a very different set of criteria. For me the F1 is still "king", the normal P1 just behind that as it is "technically" very impressive even now of what could be achieved at that point. Where as the Senna for me personally the design still jars, but I accept it was designed "in reverse" in comparison with the F1 and P1 really and is more aimed at the track.
The same "aims" and "goals" have also happened through time with Ferrari with aims either being "race car for the road" or the "ultimate road car". I think that decides on some of the decisions and direction. I suppose in some way the Senna is Mclaren's "odd one out" as it in someway is rather like the F40.
Problem for me though is how many of these machines will actually be "tracked". I doubt many will and like so many of these vehicles chances are it will be hidden away from view and rarely see the light of day.
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