The McLaren Solus GT is a limited-production track-only mid-engined sports car manufactured by McLaren Automotive. The car is the sixth edition in the McLaren Ultimate Series, joining the McLaren F1, McLaren P1, McLaren Senna, McLaren Speedtail, and McLaren Elva. It is based on the 2017 Ultimate Vision Gran Turismo concept that appeared in the Sony Interactive Entertainment racing game Gran Turismo Sport.[1] The car is designed to be an "extreme expression of track driving engagement", and is limited to 25 units, all of which come with a custom molded seat, FIA-homologated race suit, helmet, and a bespoke HANS (head and neck support device).[2]
Specifications
Powertrain
The 5.2 L V10 is a Judd-derived block, which McLaren claims produces in excess of 840 PS and 650 Nm with a redline of 10,000 rpm.[3] The engine has individual barrel-driven throttle bodies, with gear-driven camshafts, bespoke crank, intake and exhaust systems.[1] Power is sent from the engine to the rear wheels via a Le Mans Prototype-spec 7-speed sequential gearbox, and McLaren claims that the car will do 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, with a top speed in excess of 200 mph.[4] The gearbox is of aluminium-magnesium construction and consists of straight-cut gears, with a carbon fibre clutch, and with the engine the two will act as stressed members.[1][5]
Chassis
The chassis is a bespoke carbon fibre monocoque that incorporates numerous designs from Formula One, with 3D-printed titanium components used in the halo protecting the cockpit and roll bar, and carbon fibre crash structures similar to the ones found on Formula One cars.[6] The car features double wishbone suspension with pushrod torsion bars at the front and pull-rod torsion bars at the rear, with four-way manually adjustable dampers.[5] A sliding canopy on the roof of the car slides open to allow the driver to climb into the sole seat in the vehicle,[1] similar in fashion to the Lamborghini Egoista.
Bodywork
The bodywork also has a unique design that borrows from the current Formula One cars that employ the ground effect. A large front splitter, Venturi tunnels integrated into the floor and a twin-element fixed rear wing all combine to give the car a claimed downforce figure of around 1200 kg at its top speed.[4]
References
- Ben Miller. McLaren Solus GT: a single-seat, V10, Gran Turismo vision made real car, 19 August 2022, retrieved 22 August 2022^
- Justin Banner. The V-10 McLaren Solus GT Is a Video Game Fevered Dream Come to Life Motor Trend, 19 August 2022, retrieved 21 August 2022^
- From fantasy to reality - McLaren Solus GT revealed as extreme expression of track driving engagement McLaren Automotive, 19 August 2022, retrieved 22 August 2022^
- Will Rimell. McLaren launches V10-powered single-seat Solus GT autocar, 19 August 2022, retrieved 22 August 2022^
- Travis Okulski. The McLaren Solus GT Is a Single-Seat V-10 Track Monster Road & Track, 19 August 2022, retrieved 22 August 2022^
- Ollie Marriage. This is the V10-engined £2.5m McLaren Solus GT, a real-life Gran Turismo racer Top Gear, 20 August 2022, retrieved 22 August 2022^