If there is one automaker that knows how to make a car go around a racetrack quickly it’s McLaren. The British firm has an enviable record in Formula One and all of its road cars are handy around a circuit. But what happens if there are no rules to follow when producing a new car? The answer is the McLaren Solus GT. 

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“The McLaren Solus GT is the realisation of a radical McLaren concept vehicle originally created for the world of virtual racing. Engineered free of any restrictions from road or race regulations, but with the full spectrum of McLaren’s expertise to bring it to reality, it epitomises our pioneering spirit.” Michael Leiters, CEO, McLaren Automotive.


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Virtual Reality

The McLaren Solus GT has been in the pipeline for many years. In fact, we covered this story as early as 2018, when the car was just a rumour. You can read our original article at this link. McLaren has now turned the virtual racer into a reality for 25 lucky owners. 

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Lightweight…

The McLaren Solus GT is based on a carbon-fibre monocoque that was developed especially for this project. The car tips the scales at a scant 1 000 kg. The cockpit is accessed via a jet-style canopy. Inside is a single, fixed seat that is moulded to the driver’s body. The steering is an F1-style carbon-fibre item that houses all controls.

Read about another track-only machine that promises F1 levels of performance by clicking here.

… and powerful

Powering the Solus GT is a high-revving V10. The naturally aspirated 5,2-litre unit revs to 10 000 r/min. In the process it produces 619 kW and 650 N.m. The claimed 0-100 km/h sprint time is 2,5 seconds with a top speed in excess of 322 km/h. However the McLaren Solus GT is about turning it the quickest lap time possible. 

In their own words: The Solus GT is capable of fastest lap times of any McLaren outside of single-seater racing and delivers a driving experience close to the engagement and sensation of driving a Formula 1 car.

To achieve this the car features plenty of aerodynamic pieces. These include a wide front splitter, a floor with ground-effect venturi tunnels, twin-element, high-downforce rear wing, diffuser and individual wheel pods. All up the aero kit produces 1 200 kg of downforce at full tilt. 

Race-derived

The suspension consists of double wishbones  at all four corners. The alloys are 18-inch forged aluminium with centre-lock nuts. They are shod with Le Mans Prototype-specification. Braking is provided by six-piston aluminium calipers that clamp carbon brake discs and pads.