McLaren P1 GTR confirmed for 2015 Geneva Motor Show

McLaren has confirmed that it will unveil its new track toy - the McLaren P1 GTR at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show in production ready form. The Surrey-based carmaker promises that this track-tailored, powerful vehicle created by McLaren Special Operations will be ‘the best driver’s car in the world’ on a racing circuit.

First teased in June last year and then unveiled in concept form at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the P1 GTR is based on the regular McLaren P1 but packs several weight-saving and track optimisation measures which give it a 10 per cent power-to-weight ratio advantage over the standard road-going car.

A GT-style front splitter and a +80mm increased front track makes the P1 GTR more aerodynamically efficient. This new hypercar also gets roof scoop, radiator ducts and a lowered race-spec height. The rear end of the car hosts a fixed twin-element wing which sits on carbon fibre pylons and boasts a hydraulically-operated Drag Reduction System (DRS). Underneath the wing is the centrally-positioned exhaust system made from inconel and titanium alloy, and featuring a straight cut twin pipe configuration.

The supercar rides on 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels which are 10.5-inches wide at the front, 13-inches at the rear, and are secured into place with quick-release centre locking nuts. Tyre changes are made easier through an onboard air jacking system, similar to that seen on the McLaren 650S GT3 racer.

The interior of the P1 GTR features a MP4-23 F1 car inspired steering wheel. McLaren states the steering wheel is designed to make all controls accessible and user-friendly. Similar to a Formula 1 car, mode switches are placed on the centre of the steering wheel. This allows the driver to adjust the setup and characteristics of the vehicle without taking off their hands from the wheel.

The cabin also has lightweight DTM-style seats with a HANS-approved carbon fibre seat shell and six-point harnesses. McLaren claims that the driver's seat will be specifically setup for the owner and mounted directly to the chassis to reduce weight.

The P1 GTR comes with a number of modifications over the road-going P1. McLaren's engineers have tweaked the 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged mid-mounted V8 engine and the electric motor and managed to boost the power output of the hybrid system from 916PS to 1,000PS.

The new hypercar is expected to be priced at Rs 19.9 crore when it goes on sale in the international market, and will include a tailored programme created for each customer to build driver capability.