735kW McLaren P1 racer breaks cover

Published Aug 18, 2014

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Woking, Surrey: Just in case the McLaren P1 isn't exclusive enough - or fast enough - for you, this is the P1 GTR Concept racer, seen for the first time outside the factory at a private showing during the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey California.

This aggressive little racing car is quite literally a work in progress, a preview to the final model which has now entered the next phase as the development team gets down to real-world testing on some of the world's most demanding circuits.

With no pretence whatsoever of street legality, it will be the most powerful - and most focused - car yet built by McLaren Special Operations, running on bespoke Pirelli slicks at a fixed ride height, driven by a fire-breathing, uptuned version of the proven McLaren 3.8-litre biturbo V8, rated at 735kW and enhanced by Formula One-style DRS from the large, fixed rear wing and an ERS-style push-to-pass system.

INCREASED TRACK

The original P1 has been re-engineered from the ground up, with its front track increased by 80mm, coupled to a more aggressive GT-style front splitter and re-profiled low-temperature radiator ducts in the leading edges of the flared front wheel-arches, while retaining the P1's active aerodynamic flaps in the floor ahead of the front wheels.

The bodywork is tapered around the carbon-fibre MonoCage chassis behind the front wheels to channel the air from around the wheel well, with a special blade behind the wheel arch to clear the air away from the front tyres, flowing along the bottom of the body to an additional side panel that ducts air into the high-temperature radiator and improves the aerodynamic performance of the rear floor.

19” SLICKS

Lightweight 19" motorsport alloy rims wear 265mm front and 330mm rear slicks (developed in conjunction with Pirelli for this car), each with a quick-release centre locking nut and onboard air-jack, similar to the 650S GT3 racer.

A large, twin-element fixed wing with a hydraulically operated drag reduction system to boost acceleration is mounted on carbon-fibre pylons that extend around the rear of the bodywork, and the quick-release rear body cover comes off without disturbing the wing settings to allow instant access to the engine bay.

Below that, the exposed, centrally mounted exhaust, made from inconel and titanium alloy specially for this car, maximises both power and sound, with a straight-cut dual tail-pipe setup now used in place of the road car's single exit exhaust.

DRIVER PROGRAMME

McLaren Special Operations will maintain and run all the cars, and manage the ultra-exclusive GTR ownership programme throughout, including specialist driver training and access to the McLaren racing simulator, with each driver's training tailored to their individual experience and fitness level.

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