McLaren Automotive revealed the stunning, streamlined form and sensational specification of the McLaren Speedtail. The next chapter in McLaren's Ultimate Series, the Speedtail is the first 'Hyper-GT' from the pioneering British company recognised for producing luxury sportscars and supercars that deliver extraordinary driving experiences. The McLaren Speedtail can achieve the highest maximum speed of any McLaren to date, reaching 403 km/h (250mph), yet will also deliver an unprecedented blend of contemporary craftsmanship, materials innovation and bespoke personalisation. Just 106 will be created and all are already reserved, at a price of from £1.75million plus taxes.
As the most powerful and most aerodynamically drag efficient McLaren, the Speedtail can exceed the 243mph record peak speed of the legendary McLaren F1, a feat made possible by intense collaboration between McLaren's design and engineering teams to deliver a peerless blend of aerodynamic, powertrain and dynamic excellence. It is also significant that this is the first of 18 new cars or derivatives that McLaren will introduce as part of its Track25 business plan.
Streamlined simplicity is the key to true elegance
The essence of the McLaren Speedtail is modern design and craftsmanship in the truest sense, the breathtakingly sophisticated shape having been brought to life using the very latest digital development technologies. By radically rethinking every aspect of the exterior design and drastically reducing weight, aerodynamic drag efficiency was maximised, acceleration improved and top speed increased.
Elegance has been created through reduction: every body panel is carbon fibre and has been sculpted to reduce drag; retractable digital rear-view cameras replace traditional door mirrors to further aid aerodynamic performance; carbon fibre front-wheel static aero covers reduce air turbulence around the wheelarches; and the seamless silhouette is enhanced by a reduction in the number of shutlines - including a one-piece rear clamshell - which disrupt neither the visual continuity of the body or the flow of air over it. The patented active rear ailerons ensure the continuity of the design remains uncompromised, with drag kept to a minimum.
Every element and every aspect of the McLaren Speedtail has been considered in the mission to reduce drag and maximise top speed. The McLaren Speedtail is narrower than a McLaren P1™, but more than half a metre longer, measuring 5,137mm (almost 17 feet) from nose to tail. The purity of form is remarkable: viewed from above, the McLaren Speedtail is essentially a teardrop - the fastest shape in nature - and this sculpted form creates the smoothest initial contact with the air at the front splitter, while the dramatically elongated tail bleeds off the flow to reduce turbulence. And not only is the overall shape a teardrop, but so too is the cockpit glasshouse set within the body, once again benefitting aerodynamic drag efficiency.
Beautifully tailored luxury, of your own creation
A Speedtail driver's seat is positioned - literally - at the centre of the cockpit. This creates an unparalleled sense of space and a perfectly balanced view out of the windscreen. The custom-made carbon fibre seat, inspired by the seat of the iconic McLaren F1, offers the support and comfort appropriate for a 'Hyper-GT' car. Entry into this very special driving position is aided by a newly created directional leather finish that makes it easy to slide into the seat but then subtly holds the occupant in place while they drive. The central seat is flanked by two passenger seats that are integral to the carbon fibre monocoque.
The windscreen curves upwards to become part of the roof, meeting a glazed porthole above the driver's head and the glazed upper section of the dramatic dihedral doors. The incredible sense of space continues rearwards with glass rear-quarterlights that stretch back behind the seats to almost level with the rear axle. An extraordinary amount of light streams into the cockpit - unless the occupants choose otherwise, in which case the porthole, glazed upper section of the doors and rear-quarterlights feature electrochromic technology that allows them to independently turn opaque in an instant. Separately, the top of the windscreen is also electrochromic glass, forgoing the need for sun visors.
Ahead of the driver is a state-of-the-art control system, with high-definition displays and touchscreens that sweep across the dashboard and remove almost every button and switch traditionally found in a car. The controls to start the engine, turn on the Active Dynamics Panel and engage Velocity mode - as well as those to open the windows and doors - are in panels above the driver's head. These controls and the other switches and dials are milled from aluminium, and then hand-brushed and polished.
0 Comments