Is the McLaren P1 GTR the ultimate supercar ever produced?
McLaren P1 GTR – Exotic Collective
Well after much speculation and constant banter in the car industry and amongst us enthusiasts, McLaren finally shut us all up when they reveled this fire breathing monster at the Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, California.
McLaren P1 GTR – Exotic Collective
Mclaren is calling the GTR “the ultimate track focused driver’s car”, and I for one believe it will crush anything to hit the track…. the only caveat is it isn’t street legal!
McLaren P1 GTR – Exotic Collective
From the horses mouth, “The name alone suggests how significant the car will be – the first McLaren to use the GTR moniker was the McLaren F1 GTR that won the 1995 Le Mans 24 Hours. Without road-car regulations to hold it back, the McLaren P1 GTR will push everything to the limit. Available only to McLaren P1 owners, production of the track-focused GTR will begin in 2015, when the 375th and final road car has been built.
This aggressive design concept is a preview to the final model which shall be built, maintained and run by McLaren Special Operations. Development work has now entered the next phase as the team works to hone and further optimise the ultimate track-focused racer.
The mid-mounted powerplant has an increased output of 1,000PS (986bhp) and includes an ERS-style push-to-pass system. The large fixed rear wing features a Formula 1 derived Drag Reduction System and the wing mirrors have been repositioned to the A pillars to put them closer to the eye line of the driver and reduce aerodynamic drag. The car sits at a fixed ride height on race-prepared suspension over 19-inch motorsport alloy wheels. Below the rear wing is the exposed, centrally mounted inconel and titanium alloy exhaust. This all new straight cut twin pipe design has been developed exclusively for the GTR.
McLaren P1 GTR ownership will include participation in driving events at some of the world’s most iconic circuits with specialist vehicle support. Also available will be access to McLaren racing simulators with driver training from experts that have helped develop and train Formula 1 champions. In addition, exclusive consultations with the McLaren driver fitness team and Design Director Frank Stephenson will be included in the programme.
Together with one of the most exciting track-focused cars ever developed, the programme offers unprecedented access to the technologies, resources and people throughout the McLaren Technology Centre. Every experience will be unique and tailored specifically for each participant.”
McLaren P1 GTR – Exotic Collective
McLaren P1 GTR – Exotic Collective
McLaren P1 GTR – Exotic Collective
So where does the McLaren P1 GTR fit in? To be honest it doesn’t! In the same vain as the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, these automotive works of art and pure performance driven bliss are worthless and I have a hard time understanding their relevance. If you are a super car collector and want to add the wildest and most rare examples to your fleet to sit there and just appreciate in value and go undriven… well that’s your prerogative. If you are an owner that loves to drive your cars, then you are relegated to participating in these companies “Owners Racing Programs” in order to drive your car or rent out local tracks just to take your car for a spin? No thanks, if you want a race car for the track you buy a purpose built race car and compete with it like the Lamborghini Super Trofeo or the Ferrari 458 Challenge, this segment just doesn’t seem to make sense to me…. what are your thoughts?