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McLaren 720S GT3X throws out the rule book to go faster than a race car

Race cars are some of the fastest machines on Earth. And they could be faster, if it weren't for these pesky things called "rules." Proving this point is the McLaren 720S GT3X, which takes the basic GT3-class race car and cranks up the performance, because there are no rules for track toys. Nestled between the driver and the drive wheels is the expected twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 from the race car, complete with blueprinted cylinder heads and beefed up internals. But now it makes 710 horsepower, an increase of 197 over the GT3 race car. And at the push of a button, you can get a 30-horse overboost for a maximum of 740 horsepower. It's coupled to a six-speed sequential transmission. All of this is in a package weighing just 2,668 pounds, so it should be enormously entertaining. You can even share the experience with a friend, thanks to the redesigned roll cage that allowed for a second bucket seat and harness to be installed. Ideally a close friend, because that's what they'll be when they climb into the tight cockpit. But that's more than you can say for the single-occupant GT3 race car. McLaren also improved the brake cooling system to ensure the car can handle the extra weight of your ballast, er, friend. The downside to the 720S GT3X is that, because it follows no rules but its own, it's restricted in where it can drive. Neither a road car nor a race car, it's only able to be used as a track toy. Still, it should be a very fun track toy. And if you want one, McLaren is taking orders now. It can be purchased at a McLaren Motorsports dealer, and the car is built to order. McLaren will also provide technical support at your first track event with the car to ensure everything goes smoothly. No price for the car has been given, but that probably doesn't matter if you're thinking of buying one. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

McLaren's electric supercars are not quite there yet

While Rimac is all about electric supercars and has just revealed its outrageous-sounding 1,914-horsepower C_Two car at the Geneva Motor Show, McLaren is cautious about producing an EV quite yet. Hybrids are far more suitable for McLaren's immediate need than launching a full electric vehicle, says McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt. In an interview with Autocar, Flewitt says McLaren's electric portfolio is still very much in development, and that one in two McLarens sold in 2022 is to be a hybrid. But it wouldn't be right for the brand to launch a half-baked, full-electric supercar, and McLaren's standard is that any EV would have to offer performance equal to its existing cars. "It's a challenge for us to produce the same engagement as with the P1, the Senna and the 675 LT," says Flewitt. Earlier, he has stated that for an electric supercar to match the P1's performance, it would have to weigh two tons. EV development, however, is still on track, and McLaren has "an electric mule running around." For the company, getting the desired electric performance in a production-viable package is still at least five years away, Flewitt says. "It's not in [ the Track22 plan] because we don't have an answer yet." McLaren is a lot more positive about hybrids. Flewitt says hybrid tech is a lot easier to integrate into a powertrain design, making it integral instead of bolt-on. As he said a month ago: "Hybrid design is part of the next platform. It is designed-in from day one rather than having to adapt an existing chassis." Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: AutocarImage Credit: AOL/Drew Phillips Green Geneva Motor Show McLaren Coupe Electric Future Vehicles Hybrid Performance Supercars 2018 Geneva Motor Show mclaren automotive Rimac mclaren hybrid

McLaren 570S Sprint is both track day weapon and bargain

If you've ever dreamed of getting behind the wheel of a McLaren engineered specifically for the race track, this could be your best shot. It's the new 570S Sprint, and it's set to debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed tomorrow. Like the P1 GTR and the Sprint versions of the 650S and 12C before it, the new McLaren 570S Sprint is meant to be a track toy for gentlemen racers, without the limitations imposed by any specific racing class regulations. It's based on the 570S coupe at the heart of McLaren's entry-level Sports Series, but takes the opposite approach from the softer 570GT. The team in Woking has installed a new radiator behind a reshaped front bumper. The front splitter and underbody are borrowed from the 570S GT4, and there's a giant rear wing made of carbon fiber to give it more downforce than any other model in the series. Naturally the cockpit is all stripped out, and fitted with an FIA-spec roll cage, racing bucket with six-point harness, and a fire extinguisher. The suspension carries over from the road-going model, but comes mounted here to center-locking mags wearing Pirelli slicks. Though it didn't provide any concrete details, the manufacturer says that "power and torque levels have been optimised to ensure the ultimate levels of driver engagement and the best levels of noise." You can get an idea about the latter in the short video clip below. Deliveries are set to begin next year, with pricing in the UK starting at the equivalent of $218k – which you could easily on a road-going model without running out of boxes to tick on the options list. Sprint buyers, meanwhile, will be able to spec options like an onboard air jacking system, a passenger seat, various livery options from McLaren Special Operations, and even a GT4 compliance package. The one option they won't have, however, is driving it home at the end of the track day. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. McLAREN 570S SPRINT TO MAKE GLOBAL DEBUT AT THE 2016 GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED 22 Jun 2016 The recently-announced McLaren 570S Sprint will make both static and dynamic global debuts at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed as part of the largest presence by McLaren to date.