The Speedtail Is The Fastest McLaren Since The F1, And It Has Been Sold Out

Say hello to the McLaren Speedtail, the next chapter in McLaren’s Ultimate Series.

The Speedtail, which happens to be the first ‘Hyper-GT’ from McLaren, can achieve the highest maximum speed of any McLaren to date, reaching 403 km/h – a record which was held for more than 2 decades by the McLaren F1.  

It is also the first of 18 new cars which McLaren will introduce as part of its Track25 business plan.

Only 106 units will be created and unfortunately, all are already reserved at a price starting from £1.75 million plus taxes.

The teardrop-shaped cockpit and aerodynamically optimised body are the foundation for the exceptional aerodynamic drag efficiency, with innovative features such as carbon fibre front-wheel static aero covers, retractable digital rear-view cameras (in lieu of mirrors) and patented active rear ailerons furthering contributing to the ultra-low drag achieved.

While every body panel is carbon fibre and has been sculpted to reduce drag, the seamless silhouette is further enhanced by a reduction in the number of shutlines, including a one-piece rear clamshell which disrupts neither the visual continuity of the body or the flow of air over it.

Built around a bespoke McLaren Monocage carbon fibre structure, the Speedtail is powered by a massive 1,050 PS  petrol-electric hybrid powertrain which enables the car to accelerate from 0 to 300km/h in 12.8 seconds, which is about 4 seconds quicker than the P1.

Complementing the powertrain is an aluminium active suspension, carbon ceramic brakes, Velocity Active Chassis Control system, carbon fibre body, as well as a set of bespoke Pirelly P-Zero tyres.

In terms of size, the Speedtail is narrower than the McLaren P1, but it is more than half a metre longer, measuring 5,137 mm from nose to tail.

Weighing 1,430kg dry, the Speedtail’s cabin is also a highlight. Similar to the McLaren F1, the Speedtail is a three-seater,  where the driver is positioned in the middle with seats for two passengers set slightly rearwards on the left and right.

Ahead of the driver is a state-of-the-art control system with HD displays and touch screens that sweep across the dashboard and remove almost every button and switch traditionally found in a car.

The controls to start the engine, turn on the Active Dynamics Panel and engage Velocity mode, as well as those to open the windows and doors are in panels above the driver’s head.

All of these controls, switches, and dials are milled from aluminium, hand-brushed, and polished.

There is luggage space within both the nose and tail of the vehicle and a bespoke luggage set is available to every owner, the carbon fibre, leather, and metalwork on the cases being matched to the interior specification of their Speedtail.

With each Speedtail being tailored to the owner’s individual taste by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), it is virtually certain that no two examples will be identical.

“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-breaking hybrid powertrain sits within a lightweight carbon fibre body reminiscent of sleek ‘streamliners’ that once set world speed records, while the luxurious three-seat cockpit offers a sublime combination of an incredible driving experience, unmatched individualism and innovative materials never seen before in a road-going vehicle,” said Mike Flewitt, the CEO of McLaren Automotive.