McLaren unveils the Speedtail, its fastest road car to date

[midian182]

In brief: British automotive giant McLaren has just unveiled its fastest road car to date: the Speedtail. Described as its first "Hyper GT" car, the company charges almost $2.25 million for one of these beasts. But even if you do happen to have that sort of cash lying around, all 106 vehicles have already been purchased.

Thanks to its gas-electric hybrid powertrain, the 1035 BPH Speedtail can reach 250 mph and accelerate from 0 to 186 mph in just 12.8 seconds. McLaren’s previous Ultimate Series hybrid, the P1, took 16.5 seconds to reach that speed.

Like the famous McLaren F1 car, the Speedtail can seat three people: one driver sitting in a central position with two passengers placed slightly back on either side. But the seating configuration and complications with the airbags mean US buyers importing the car must apply for a ‘show or display’ permit, which allows limited road miles.

As well as being ridiculously fast, the Speedtail is packed with technology. Analog readouts are replaced with digital high-definition touchscreen dashboards, where drivers can select various modes including Velocity, which lets it hit 250 mph by moving the car’s retractable parts, thereby optimizing it for high speeds. There’s also the Velocity Active Chassis Control that drops the car by 1.4 inches, along with push-to-start, and gear-select buttons.

One of the most impressive pieces of tech is the electrochromic glass windshield, which can be darkened just by pressing a button, doing away with the need for sun visors.

Much like the Audi E-Tron concept electric SUV, the Speedtail uses high definition digital cameras instead of wing mirrors on the exterior of the car. This makes it more aerodynamic as they’re smaller and retractable. Drivers see the cameras' feed on their dashboard screen and, compared to using traditional mirrors, get a wider view of what’s behind them.

The car’s front two wheels come with static covers, which not only boost aerodynamics but also feature a notch that directs airflow in an optimum fashion. They also look extremely cool.

McLaren says the cars are expected to start shipping at the beginning of 2020. Buyers also get a set of bespoke luggage, constructed from expensive materials and designed to match the personalized interior of the owner’s Speedtail.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/77141-mclaren-unveils-speedtail-fastest-road-car-date.html

 

[Uncle Al]

Hmmmmmmm ..... but does it come in a self driving model?

 

[OutlawCecil]

Umm... I'll take two.

 

[Bannhammer]

The (Bugatti) Chiron's top speed is electronically limited to 420 km/h (261 mph)

the 1035 BPH Speedtail can reach 250 mph.

Okay what am I missing here? 261 SEEMS like a bigger number than 250, but it's been a while since my college days. What am I missing here Rob Thubron?

Edit: **its Oh I see what you did there. Got me with the click bait ;P

 

[Dimitrios]

LOL looks like the GM Prototype in the 1980's that hit the same speed with a POS 2.3L Quad 4 DOHC engine with a turbo I believe.

 

[jackal2687]

Cannot wait to sit in traffic in this car!

 

[Squid Surprise]

The (Bugatti) Chiron's top speed is electronically limited to 420 km/h (261 mph)

the 1035 BPH Speedtail can reach 250 mph.

Okay what am I missing here? 261 SEEMS like a bigger number than 250, but it's been a while since my college days. What am I missing here Rob Thubron?

Edit: **its Oh I see what you did there. Got me with the click bait ;P

The top speed is largely irrelevant... very few people are taking this to 250MPH - nor are Bugatti owners taking their cars to 250 (let alone 261).

Acceleration is the key - less than 13 seconds to get to 186MPH is just insane... and it almost certainly handles pretty well - McLaren is famous for race cars after all....

Obviously, this is only for super-wealthy car nuts... there's a reason there are only about 100 made... but still... I WANT ONE!!!

Wonder if LEGO will release a model like they did with the Bugatti...

 

[captaincranky]

@midian182 I couldn't help but noticed the MSRP wasn't included in your article.

Not a criticism though. I'm pretty sure this in one of those special instances whereby, "if you have to ask the price, you definitely can't afford it"...

Or maybe it's development will take the same path as a US government contract whereas, "you'll have the actual price only after it's completed". The initial bidding price is irrelevant, it's just used to get your corporate foot in the door.

Meanwhile, the whole, "you can't drive it full time on US roads without passenger airbags regulation". is absurd.

It calls to mind the question, "does anyone in their right mind believe that an airbag would save their life in a 250 MPH head on collision"?

 

[Lionvibez]

Nice top speed too bad its UGLY.

 

[Squid Surprise]

@midian182 I couldn't help but noticed the MSRP wasn't included in your article.

“British automotive giant McLaren has just unveiled its fastest road car to date: the Speedtail. Described as its first "Hyper GT" car, the company charges almost $2.25 million for one of these beasts. But even if you do happen to have that sort of cash lying around, all 106 vehicles have already been purchased.”

Was in the “in brief” right at the start

Out of my price range.... but still want it!!

 

[captaincranky]

“British automotive giant McLaren has just unveiled its fastest road car to date: the Speedtail. Described as its first "Hyper GT" car, the company charges almost $2.25 million for one of these beasts. But even if you do happen to have that sort of cash lying around, all 106 vehicles have already been purchased.”

Was in the “in brief” right at the start ....[ ]....

I came upon the article from the "Techspot News and Comments" forum side, and that paragraph isn't in there.

In the forum side, This, "Thanks to its gas-electric hybrid powertrain, the 1035 BPH Speedtail can reach 250 mph and accelerate from 0 to 186 mph in just 12.8 seconds. McLaren’s previous Ultimate Series hybrid, the P1, took 16.5 seconds to reach that speed." is the lead in.(Underneath the title of course).

You had me going though, since I can't read because I used to work for the post office, and I feared that my shameful secret was out.

 

[LenovoX]

The (Bugatti) Chiron's top speed is electronically limited to 420 km/h (261 mph)

the 1035 BPH Speedtail can reach 250 mph.

Okay what am I missing here? 261 SEEMS like a bigger number than 250, but it's been a while since my college days. What am I missing here Rob Thubron?

Edit: **its Oh I see what you did there. Got me with the click bait ;P

And if you remember ('member South Park?) the episode with the adds? And that we all are just adds dust in these days...

 

[HyPeroxya]

So thats 210mil from the sale , I presume they'll all want uprated wheel trims and some sort of warranty, plus regular servicing from Mclaren @ ? 100,000 per service , I dont want one, a vw scirocco and 2.1mil in the bank , instead.

 

[Nobina]

So thats 210mil from the sale , I presume they'll all want uprated wheel trims and some sort of warranty, plus regular servicing from Mclaren @ ? 100,000 per service , I dont want one, a vw scirocco and 2.1mil in the bank , instead.

People who buy these cars don't drive them, they keep them somewhere as a trophy cause they're rare. I certainly wouldn't risk driving this on the road or anywhere else for that matter. Even if you're filthy rich you can't buy another one cause they're not mass produced.