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PEBBLE BEACH, California - McLaren has announced its global debut of its GT for the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance when the wraps are set to come off the track-only 650S Sprint.
The automaker says the stripped-out racer will make its global debut alongside a number of other models from its stable, and completes the brand’s display with four global debuts planned for the Californian event, including the McLaren P1 GTR.
IMAGE GALLERY: McLaren GT 650S Sprint
The 650S Sprint is based on the recently launched McLaren 650S Coupe, and is fitted with developments to the brake steer system, even more refined active aerodynamics and a race set-up for the ProActive Chassis Control (PCC).
McLaren said: “As with the 650S, the aerodynamically optimised design of the 650S Sprint offers increased levels of downforce, and the revised air intakes carried across from the road car allow for optimised cooling of the 3.8-litre twin-turbo M838T engine.”
SHARED DESIGN
The interior is fully track-focused and stripped out to minimise weight. It’s built around the lightweight and strong carbon fibre MonoCell chassis, and features an FIA-approved roll-cage to help protect the driver. There’s a lightweight carbon-fibred racing seat, with full six-point harness, air-conditioning and an integrated fire extinguisher system.
McLaren recently announced the 650S GT3 race car, which will be seen on the GT grid for the 2015 season. The 650S Sprint shares a number of design features with its bigger brother, says the automaker. A larger motorsport fuel ‘bag’ tank with quick-fill connectors, optimised cooling through the larger GT3-developed front radiator with a GT3-inspired bonnet integrating radiator exit ducts, and the addition of front wings louvres.
The first example of the 650S Sprint is shown with a new striking livery, in an inverted colour scheme of the 650S GT3 car shown at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Finished primarily in white, the design also features the new orange finish seen on the GT3, with black and white detailing throughout.
The 650S Sprint has a lower ride height with recalibrated adaptive damping for revised spring rates, and sits on 19” centre-locking racing wheels, fitted with Pirelli slicks. There’s a braking system developed for the 650S Sprint which allows for later braking into corners, but also improved brake feel and greater cornering speeds.
Other options include a CFD (computational fluid dynamics) developed aerodynamic package including carbon-fibred rear wing and front splitter, a passenger seat with six-point harness, and further lightweight components including a polycarbonate windscreen.
The 650S Sprint will be priced from the equivalent of R3.5-million.
