McLaren’s Hyper Grand Tourer

AT 5.2 meters long and with a top speed of 250 MPH (403kph), the Speedtail hugs the road.
Its highest point being just 1.12 meters above the roads surface, lower even than the Raging Bulls.
The McLaren Speedtail will commence deliveries in early 2020 to 106 customers. Yes, that’s right the Speedtail has already sold out; at a minimum cost of £1.75 million each, (euro 2.2 million) plus local taxes.
Mike Flewitt, CEO McLaren Automotive describing the Speedtail said, “McLaren has never built a vehicle like the Speedtail before.
As our first Hyper-GT the Speedtail is the ultimate McLaren road car a fusion of art and science that combines an astonishing maximum speed with an iconic central driving position and a truly pioneering approach to bespoke personalisation.
A ground braking hybrid power train sits within a lightweight carbon fibre body reminiscent of sleek ‘streamliners’ that once set world speed records.
While the luxurious three seat cockpit offer a sublime combination of an incredible driving experience, unmatched individualism and innovative materials never seen before in a road going vehicle.”
Acceleration is a mind blowing 0-186 mph or 0-300 kph in just 12.8 seconds.
Bespoke P-ZERO tyres have been developed to cope with the Speedtail’s extreme speed by McLaren’s technology partner Pirelli.
“As an ultimate Series model at the pinnacle of the McLaren range, the Speedtail pushes the limits of what is possible technically. Just as the Malaren Senna is the embodiment of the extreme aerodynamic technologies and weight saving so too is the Speedtail but for this McLaren the purpose was to achieve a new level of design sophistication and weight reduction in the pursuit of low aerodynamic drag, breath taking acceleration and extreme velocity.” explained Andy Palmer, Vehicle Line Director, Ultimate Series, McLaren Automotive.
It is virtually certain that no two examples of the Speedtail McLaren will be identical as the level of customisation is extreme.
All the way down to the coating on the individual strands of Carbon fibre that create the opportunity for unique and select colours.
A ‘special paint’ job indeed.
One item which is subtly absent though is the door mirror.
Sacrificed on the altar of aerodynamic purity the Speedtail instead features two rear facing high definition digital cameras that glide out of the doors when the vehicle ignition is engaged, the cameras feed displays on either side of the instrument panel in front of the driver.
When “Velocity Mode” is selected the cameras retract into the doors further reducing drag.
“The McLaren Speedtail is a vehicle unlike any other, not simply because of the astonishing visual drama, extreme speed and aerodynamic excellence that distinguish it, but because it sets unprecedented standards in technical luxury and bespoke customisation.
The same boundless innovation and creativity that drives McLaren to push the limits of physical performance have challenged us to craft an interior defined by pioneering design and the absolute pinnacle of materials quality.” Says Rob Melville, Design Director, McLaren Automotive.
By way of example let’s have a closer look at the Speedtail’s badge. Working with the Swiss watch maker Richard Mille; McLaren used pioneering technology from the world of Horology to develop a world’s first in the Automotive.
Thin-Ply Technology Carbon Fibre (TPT) the material is comprised of countless ultra-thin carbon layers just 30 microns thick, each positioned at a 45 degree angle.
The surface is the delicately milled to expose a stratified shimmering construction that resembles flowing water. This material can be integrated into areas of the Speedtail such as the overhead control panel, gearshift paddles and steering wheel clasp.
TPT is also used in the McLaren badge on the front of the Speedtail design model with both this badge and the Speedtail name formed in 18 carat white gold, the letters being individually pressed, clipped and polished. Nick Horne, London, England