A virtual dream that becomes reality. This is the first essential information regarding McLaren Solus GTessentially a racing car that will appear in the collection of 25 lucky customers from Woking. The single-seater car will in fact be produced in a limited series, after the end of the tests already in progress, in 2023. If you are interested, too bad: they have all already been sold.
The design is created around the cockpit with centrally positioned controls, with the roof sliding like in a supersonic aircraft. McLaren has developed a unique monocoque chassis for the Solus GT, with a sports-derived powertrain as a structural element. No electric: the engine is a gasoline burner 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10, capable of 840 horsepower and 650 Nm of torque (speed of over 10,000 rpm), linked to a sequential seven-speed gearbox made to measure; in this case the casing was made of aluminum with magnesium panels, all mounted behind the engine, set in the rear suspension. With these characteristics, the car has a weight of less than 1000kg and gives more than 1200kg of downforce to the driver.
The wheels are wrapped in aerodynamic shells and connected to the Formula 1-inspired suspension system, consisting of double wishbones with internal damping and torsion bar, operated by tie rods at the front and rear. A large front splitter directs air in a ground effect tunnel to the diffuser. An air intake above the passenger compartment, integrated into the design of the roll bar cover located behind the seat, directs cold air towards the engine, helping to create the sound. The design of the single-seaters also inspired the sides of the Solus GT, which house the radiators. The fixed two-piece rear wing is the key to achieving superior downforce to the total weight of the car. The steering wheel – whose design is unique among McLaren series cars – is inspired by Formula 1, with the dashboard display and essential controls integrated to fit the tight confines of a single-seater.
The Solus GT is based on a monocoque in carbon fiber, in this case made with specialized production methods for limited series realizations, including a carbon preparation process for greater structural strength and high uniformity of finish of the material. The front and rear frame structures are also made of carbon fiber, while the engine and gearbox make up the rest of the frame. 3D printed titanium components were used for the cockpit protective structure and roll bar. This is the first time this approach has been adopted for the structural elements of a McLaren series car, allowing for a very distinctive design and reducing weight.
Inside the characteristic wheel arches are 18-inch forged aluminum wheels with central locking nuts, coated with specific tires for Le Mans prototypes, available in slick and wet compounds. Braking is entrusted to 6-piston monobloc calipers in machined aluminum and carbon discs and pads. The distribution between the front and rear brakes can be adjusted by the rider.
A “driving experience” package is available, linked to the McLaren offer, which includes a driver’s seat molded to the shape of the body, an FIA approved racing suit, a helmet and a HANS device tailored to each owner, as well as a coaching program dedicated to the driver. The car, presented during Monterey Car Week in California, had already appeared in the Gran Turismo Sport video game; but live it will be a completely different impression: “The McLaren Solus GT is the realization of a concept originally created for the world of virtual racing. Designed without any restrictions from road or race regulations, but with the full spectrum of McLaren expertise to bring it to reality – embodies our pioneering spirit“Said Michael Leiters, chief executive of McLaren Automotive.
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