The Speedtail is McLaren’s spiritual successor to F1.
McLaren has crowned a new king on its top-speed hill: Meet Speedtail. The Speedtail, which can reach speeds of 250 miles an hour (402 km per hour) marks a new era in British automaker.
The Speedtail is an informal successor to McLaren F1 in the 1990s. It aims to compete with vehicles like the Bugatti CHiron. The Bugatti’s 1,500 horsepower (1,119 kilowatts), however, relies on brute power to produce stunning dynamics. The McLaren, on the other hand, uses aerodynamic ingenuity and aerodynamic creativity to propel the McLaren to new heights.
The Speedtail’s carbon fiber body looks like a Volkswagen XL1 with steroids. It seems that the Speedtail is designed to cut through the air effortlessly. The Speedtail’s teardrop-shaped body is strong enough to achieve aerodynamic efficiency, but the Speedtail’s engineering feats are just as impressive. The front wheels are covered with static wheel covers, which help to channel air into the various vents.
The Speedtail also trades traditional rearview lenses for retractable cameras. These feeds are displayed in the cabin. To improve aerodynamics, a speed-oriented “Velocity” mode stores the cameras in the doors and lowers it by 1.4 inches (35 mm).
A pair of moving ailerons, embedded in the rear of the single-piece rear shell, can be used to adjust the Speedtail’s speed and bring it to a halt. The hydraulically-actuated winglets, which are made of flexible carbon fiber and not separate pieces, are part of the rear panel.
The Speedtail has 1,035 horses (772kW) and a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain. This is just 2.7 seconds faster than McLaren P1’s 903-hp (673kW) engine. McLaren will not reveal the powertrain of the Speedtail. However, we believe it uses a modified 789-hp (588 kW) twin-turbocharged V8 in and an electric motor that is more powerful than the P1. The Speedtail-specific Pirelli P-Zero tires make sure the McLaren is able to do all kinds of dynamic driving.
The Speedtail’s driver is placed in the middle of the cabin, much like the McLaren F1 from yore. Speedtail owners have the option to purchase bespoke luggage that will fit their hypercar.
The Speedtail’s cabin has a seven-figure price tag, but it is just as luxurious as the name suggests. The three-spoke steering column is surrounded by touchscreens. Buttons for controlling vehicle features like active dynamics and windows are found on an overhead panel. The Speedtail’s electrochromic glass lets you control how much light gets into your cabin. The glass can also be found at the top of your windshield. This is where it is used instead of traditional sun visors.
McLaren Speedtails are the real deal. They offer a ridiculous performance, state of-the-art technology and an unmatched curb appeal. McLaren only makes 106 Speedtails. None of them are claimed. The Speedtail list is open to those who are lucky enough to be on it. Delivery of the model will begin in 2020.