When we think of an electrified car, the first thing that comes to mind is a hybrid generalist model with little power and minimal performance. However, the use of electricity combined with combustion engines also makes it possible to explore new limits in sportiness. The first advance that we made McLaren with this technology was the P1, and now we get the McLaren Speedtail. A hybrid like no other.
We are talking about a hypercar with almost unique characteristics. McLaren presented it to the world at the 2019 edition of the Geneva Motor Show. The Speedtail takes over from the McLaren P1 in terms of hybrid philosophy, but it takes it to a new level in every way. He also copies some proposals from the legendary F1, with a three-seat cockpit layout, with the driver right in the middle of the scene.
The McLaren Speedtail goes directly into the most radical family, the Ultimate Series family, where he shares campus with McLaren Senna, as well as the Mclaren elva. The three exhibit sportsmanship in three different formats and presentations. In the case that concerns us, the English engineers have wanted to give as much importance to performance as to the way of exposing it.
Technical characteristics of the McLaren Speedtail
The performance that the McLaren Speedtail is capable of achieving requires every component of the car to be capable of withstanding extraordinary forces. All part of a reinforced structure, a monocoque chassis made entirely of carbon fiber. A platform of high rigidity and minimum weight. All this is covered with a body of various materials such as carbon fiber and glass.
The size of the Speedtail cannot be said to be inconspicuous. Its design, its cabin for three and its structure lead us to a hypercar of 5,14 meters long, more than two meters wide and just 1,12 meters high. It is the largest model in the history of the firm, but despite its excessive size, the intensive use of light materials allows it to weigh only 1.430 kilograms on the scale. More or less what a C-segment model weighs.
As usual at McLaren, the engineers have installed the entire mechanical assembly in the rear central part of the Speedtail. In this way, a 50% weight distribution is favored on each axis. Not since the demise of the McLaren F1 in the year in 1998 have we seen another model from Woking with a cabin for three occupants.. The pilot, the main actor, is placed on the longitudinal axis of the car, and his two companions are on the sides and slightly behind. No minimum trunk capacity is announced.
Mechanical range and gearboxes of the McLaren Speedtail
We come to the most important part of the Speedtail, its mechanical assembly. Although McLaren is not new to the use of hybrid technologies, for this occasion electrification not only allows performance levels to be increased, it also allows completely sustainable mobility. Unlike the P1, the Speedtail can move 100% electrically, just a few kilometers, although the autonomy is not specified.
Once again McLaren uses the four-litre V8 engine used in other models, such as the McLaren 765LT. The novelty lies in the electrical diagram that accompanies it. It has not been specified how many electric motors the McLaren Speedtail has, nor what is the capacity of the battery or its composition. But we do know that the performance numbers make it one of the world's most hyped and fastest hypercars.
The final announced power is 1.070 horses. Although much of that figure comes from the combustion engine, when the electrical system and thermal engine work together, that is the ultimate maximum power. Thanks to it, an impressive performance is obtained. Top speed of 403 kilometers per hour, and acceleration from 0 to 300 kilometers per hour in just 12,8 seconds. Of course, the English have not announced a consumption figure either.
McLaren Speedtail Equipment
With its first conventional hybrid, McLaren is exploring a totally new concept. The Speedtail is difficult to catalog. Its high price does not imply the highest of equipment. In fact, in an effort to reduce the weight of the car as much as possible, most of the technologies that today we take for currents have been eliminated and common within the industry. An effort that the occupants will appreciate.
The interior of the McLaren Speedtail presents us with an environment that mixes competition and the most advanced technology. It is the same approach as the McLaren F1, but adapted to the XNUMXst century. Everything is digital, like on an airplane. Three screens focus all the attention. High-quality panels and touch control that will help the driver to manage the few, but complete equipment that is installed.
There is not much to highlight about the Speedtail's equipment, but on the contrary, it is worth highlighting the extensive customization program that accompanies it. Each client, each wealthy client, is free to configure the car to his liking. The interior is a blank canvas that must be filled to the taste and imagination of its owner. Despite the extensive use of materials such as carbon fiber, we can also find the best leather in the world or the finest Alcantara that exists.
The McLaren Speedtail
Rivals of the McLaren Speedtail
If you think no one can match the capabilities, or 1.070 horsepower, of the Speedtail, you're sorely mistaken. There is a market for hypercars, is a very limited market, but real and, of course, only within the reach of a few pockets in the world. The rivals of the McLaren Speedtail are mainly, the Bugatti Chiron, Ferrari SF90 Stradale and Koenigsegg Regera. All three are similar in power and performance, also in price, although each one provides a different format and style.
Highlight
- Benefits
- hybrid concept
- Interior
To improve
- limited production
- Price
- poor equipment
McLaren Speedtail Price
For everything we have told you, you may have already imagined that the price that McLaren asks for one of these jewels is high. One thing we haven't mentioned yet is that the production of the Speedtail is limited to 106 units worldwide, and all of them are sold before the model goes into production. That makes it more exclusive and expensive. Taking all this into account, it is not surprising that the starting price of the McLaren Speedtail is approximately two million euros. A not at all discreet price for one of the most radical hypercars currently on the roads.
McLaren Speedtail Photo Gallery
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