MCLAREN F1 TO BE REBORN AS ‘HYPER-GT’

The iconic three-seat layout is set to be resurrected in 2018 with a 700hp-plus V8 engine

McLaren plans to reinvent the iconic F1 before the turn of the decade in a project made possible by the bespoke skills of the Woking-based firm’s Special Operations division.

The all-new, limited-edition car — set to cost around 300 million baht in Thailand including tax — will be built in homage to the F1 and include many of its standout design features including the three-seat layout, powered dihedral doors with openings that extend to the roof’s central vein, and a roof snorkel. However, the car is also being engineered to an all-new brief as an ultra-powerful GT car.

With the P1 remaining at the pinnacle of McLaren’s line-up, we understand the new F1 development team has been given the goal of making the fastest GT car yet built, as opposed to a super-sports car chasing outright performance.

Our sources suggest the car will use a modified version of the twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 engine that powers all of its cars, delivering more than 700hp. There will be no electrical assistance, but the top speed will exceed 300kph.

Tuning and trimming the car for cross-continental travel is likely to mean that it won’t eclipse the focused 675LT for performance, despite its power advantage. It is also unlikely a more extreme track version of the new F1 will be made.

The cabin will mix nods to the F1’s heritage with ultramodern materials and finishings to create a luxurious feel in line with the car’s cross-country goal. A bespoke luggage set is also said to be among the standard equipment. It is rumoured that the entire switchgear will be bespoke and customers will be able to select from a huge range of finishes and materials, making it almost certain that no two cars will be the same.

The car’s final look is uncertain beyond the F1 references, but the design team has been briefed to apply a carbonfibre body that looks shrink-wrapped over the interior and mechanical parts to convey “extreme elegance”.

Another key element will be the exhaust outlets, which are expected to be mounted high in the rear bodywork to leave the rear diffuser section clear and give the rear end a clean look.

The project to recreate the F1 has been codenamed BP23, referencing Bespoke Project Two and the fact that it is a threeseater. Autocar’s source has dropped strong hints that 64 examples will be made, the same as the number of road-legal F1s built. The car’s launch date is set for 2018.