McLaren's Menacing P1 GTR Set For Geneva 2015 Debut

The McLaren P1 is very fast. Actually, its very, very fast. The time, energy, expertise, and technology that went into its development is mind boggling. Its unquestionably one of the most important cars, not to mention hypercars, to enter production over the last few years.

After previewing the Design Concept and initial specifications at 2014’s Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, McLaren has revealed its finished P1 GTR.

As with racing variations of already outrageous machines, the headlining changes that were made largely concern powertrain and weight. McLaren hasn’t deviated much in that respect; the P1 GTR is a lighter, more powerful version of the P1 hypercar.

The 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8 has been optimized for track use and is now producing 789 hp, an increase of 62 hp from the standard P1’s 727 hp. Output from the other half of this hybrid powertrain, the electric motor, has also increased from 176 hp to 197 hp to bring the combined power to 986 hp.

All that power won’t have to contend with much weight as McLaren claims to have shaved 110 lbs (or about 50 kg) from the curb weight over the standard P1 through the removal of non-essential elements and lighter components that include a new Inconel and titanium alloy exhaust system that saves 6.5 kg, replacing the glass roof and engine cover with carbon fibre, and polycarbonate side windows to name just a few.

The front track has been widened by 80mm and the suspension lowered by 50mm with its new chin splitter and there are centre-locking 19-inch motorsport alloy wheels sitting on Pirelli slick tires. In contrast to the road-going model, the P1 GTR features a fixed rear wing that’s positioned more than 400mm above the rear bodywork. McLaren claims that this revised aero package is capable of increasing downforce by more than 10 percent or 660kg while travelling at 150 mph.

Ownership of the P1 GTR will be an end-to-end experience made to tailor each car to its driver beginning at the McLaren Technology Center where seat fitting, custom livery design, and driver fitness assessment will take place. Track sessions at Silverstone in the UK and Circuit de Catalunya in Spain follow. 

Prior to all that, the P1 GTR will be shown in this commemorative #06R Harrods-sponsored McLaren F1 GTR livery at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, where it will share floorspace with the upcoming McLaren 675LT, before joining the road-going P1 in McLaren’s newly christened Ultimate Series.