Based on the McLaren P1 road car the track focused GTR further optimises the aerodynamically efficient ‘shrink-wrapped’ body shape to offer even more performance, improved handling characteristics and better on track driver engagement.
McLaren say the car has been re-engineered from the ground up to be the ultimate drivers car on the race track. It’s now powered by a 1000 horsepower 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine and lightweight electric motor, built in-house by by McLaren.
The front track of the car has been increased by 80mm and is coupled with an aggressive GT-style from splitter. Re-profiled low temperature radiator ducts seamlessly flow into the leading edge of the flared front wheel-arches, while the active aerodynamic flaps are retained from the road going P1 in the floor ahead of the front wheels.
The bodywork of the car is ‘shrink-wrapped’ around the carbon fibre mono-cage chassis behind the front wheels, and is designed to channel the air from around the wheel well. An additional aerodynamic blade is located behind the wheel-arch to clean the air from the front tyres. This aero device flows seamlessly along the bottom edge of the dihedral doors, along the flank of the carbon fibre bodywork, to an additional side panel at the rear which ducts additional air into the high temperature radiator and improves the aerodynamic performance of the rear floor.
The dramatic profile of the GTR hunkers down onto the race-tuned suspension with a fixed ride height lower than the standard P1, the snorkel air intake, inspired by the design of the original McLaren F1, is still present within the roof structure of the carbon fibre MonoCage chassis. The wing mirrors have been repositioned to the A pillars putting them closer to the eye line of the driver, reducing aerodynamic drag.
At the read of the car is the large, twin-element wing is mounted on carbon fibre pylons which extend around to the rear of the bodywork. The fixed height wing is fitted with a hydraulically operated drag reduction system (DRS) to boost acceleration performance and has been tweaked to provide increased levels of downforce compared to the road car, working with the active flaps located ahead of the front wheels. The active aerodynamic devices optimise aerodynamic balance through all phases of cornering. The bodywork of the car has been re-profiled to improve aerodynamic efficiency below the large rear wing, and incorporates a quick-release system without affecting the rear wing.
Below the rear wing sits the exposed, centrally mounted exhaust, which is an all new design, developed exclusively for the GTR. Made from inconel and titanium alloy, the system maximises the aural characteristic of the higher output 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine to maintain, and further emphasise, the McLaren sound. The design of the exhaust has also changed, with a straight cut twin pipe setup now used in place of the single exit exhaust.
Airflow is managed carefully across the whole car and channelled in the most efficient and effective ways possible. This includes the air below the car, and a large carbon fibre diffuser dominates the lower half of the rear of the car. This is designed to work in tandem with the rear wing to enhance rear downforce and grip levels.