PHOTOGRAPHY: OLI TENNENT
BOAT LIFEf there’s one car that every auto writer in the worldis
aching to get behind the wheel of this year, it’sthe
McLaren Speedtail. The fourth and latest modelin
the British manufacturer’s “Ultimate” series, the Speedtail might
just be the apotheosis of combustion-engined hypercar design.
Although hybrid-powered, it will rely heavily on a gasoline
engine to produce most of its 1,000-plus horsepower,with
electric motors providing assistance and helping the Speedtail
to a predicted top speed of 250mph.
But it isn’t just raw power that will get it there. The striking,
long-tail bodywork has been meticulously shaped to be among
the most slippery and aerodynamic ever seen on a road-going
production car. Turbulence-inducing shut
lines are kept to a minimum, wind-cheating
discs cover the front wheels and an innovative
“aileron” system substitutes a conventional
rear spoiler set-up for a pair of hydraulically
controlled flaps that rise from the corners of
the car to provide balance and air-braking.
These are not hinged but are an integral part
of the carbon fiber bodywork and simply
bend into position when deployed.Reared on innovation and sharing a pedigree with the F1,
McLaren’s latest offering in its Ultimate series rethinks
the concept of airflow handling, says Simon de BurtonSpoiler-free aerodynamics
I
MCLARENSPEEDTAIL
EngineFourliter,V8
(anticipated)withelectricassistance
Power1,036bhp
Weight3,153lbs
Acceleration0-186mphin 13 seconds
Topspeed250mph
Price$2.5mThe innovation continues inside, with electrochromic glass that
dims instantly when exposed to bright sunlight and so-called
“directional” leather upholstery that makes it easier to slide into
the car, but holds the driver and passenger in place once there.
The interior is special, too, reviving the three-seat, center-
steering configuration used in the F1 – but buyers of its $2.5 million
successor can have it trimmed and fitted-out to their specification
because, according to the marque’s color and materials boss
Jo Lewis, this is “the most bespoke McLaren ever made.”
Clients are already visiting the headquarters in Woking, near
London, to take advantage of a video tour configurator with which
they can choose colors, materials and finishes, see them instantly
displayed on a giant screen and adjust or
substitute anything they are not happy with.
They can even choose to have personalized
images woven into carbon fiber parts, unique
patterns laser-punched into upholstery and
personal engravings applied to the titanium
components of the Snap-on Speedtail toolkit.
Which, somehow, we doubt will ever be used
in anger... although, as toolkits go, it will
doubtless be the ultimate. mclaren.comSPECS
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