McLaren P1 GTR concept (2014): the hard-core P1

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

16 August 2014 02:15

Can you have too much of a good thing? McLaren clearly doesn't think so - it's unveiled the new P1 GTR model at the 2014 Pebble Beach concours d'elegance.

They've take a 'regular' P1 and thrown the works at it. Power jumps to 1000ps, or 986bhp from the 3.8-litre V8 and electric motor working in tandem. That's Bugatti Veyron territory.

The P1 GTR is a track-focused special produced by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the division tasked with producing specials, one-offs and customer tweaks to meet the whims of the world's most demanding - and wealthiest - clientele.

Hence the unveiling at the prestigious Pebble Beach concours.

It is not homologated for road use, leaving the GTR free to focus on 'being the best driver's car in the world on track.'

Cue some pretty wild aerodynamics and race-cut slicks for circuit use.

That huge rear wing is now fixed in place, rather than adpatively popping up and down as on the roadgoing P1, and there's an ERS press-to-pass button like on Jenson Button's racer.

There's also a tweaked Drag Reduction System (DRS) to boost outright acceleration for showing off down the pit straight.

Read CAR magazine's original McLaren P1 review here.

That aggressive stance is exaggerated by an 80mm widened front track, emphasised by a GT-spec front splitter. The mirrors switch to the A-pillars to reduce drag and the wheels are now 19in items, secured with quick-release central locks.

Like Ferrari's Corse Clienti, McLaren is offering a P1 GTR driver programme; it's not so much you driving to your local track day, as McLaren preparing your very own VIP test session with a host of race engineers, designers and test drivers in tow.

If Carlsberg did track days...

The F1 GTR was launched in 1995 to compete in the GT racing season, and famously went on to win the 1995 Le Mans 24-hours.

Notice echoes of its orange and silver paint job on the new 2014 P1 GTR.

You can see the 1995 original and the 2014 P1 GTR posing together in our photo gallery above.

By Tim Pollard