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Fastest McLaren Ever Made Can Hit 250 MPH Time and Again, Here's How

Back in 2018, McLaren broke the seal of what is to become the company’s first car in the new Hyper GT family, the Speedtail. Praised since back then as faster than the record setting F1, the Speedtail just recently proved its worth on the track in the U.S.
McLaren Speedtail 25 photos
Photo: McLaren
McLaren SpeedtailMcLaren SpeedtailMcLaren SpeedtailMcLaren SpeedtailMcLaren Speedtail
In 1998, one prototype of the McLaren F1 was awarded an entry in the Book of Guinness World Records for the world's fastest production car, hitting 240.1 mph (386.4 kph) at Volkswagen's track in Ehra-Lessien under the guidance of Andy Wallace.

In late 2019, the Speedtail unofficially shattered that speed, by reaching 250 mph (403 kph) on the space shuttle landing runway at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The record was achieved by a prototype called XP2 who did it not once, but for a total of 30 times.

Several months have passed since then, and it was only this week that McLaren explained just how the Speedtail managed to become faster than the F1, through a short video available at the bottom of this text.

At the core of the car sits a hybrid powertrain that develops a combined 1,070 ps and 1,150 Nm of torque, allowing it to reach speeds of 300 kph (186 mph) from a standstill in 12.8 seconds, way faster than the F1, which could get there in 16.5 seconds.

But it’s not only the powertrain that contributes to this, explains McLaren, but a combination of powertrain, aerodynamics and low weight.

The car’s teardrop shape is the most aero-drag efficient McLaren road car ever made, making use of vertical ducts located beneath the full LED headlights to direct the flow of air over the hood and into two upper front clam intakes. From there, it passes via ducts that run through the car, and is met by a rear diffuser and blades. Front-wheel aero-covers and retractable cameras instead of regular mirrors also contribute to the aerodynamic attributes of the car.

Weight-wise, the Speetail tips the scale at 1,430 kg (3,152 lbs) dry.

Equally important, says McLaren, is the deployment of a battery technology like no other in the industry. The cells in the battery are thermally controlled by a dielectrical cooling system and immersed in an insulative oil, meaning they heat up a lot slower than other designs and can run “harder and for longer” supplying the energy the car needs.

Sadly, not that many people will be able to enjoy all the thrills the Speedtail has to offer. There will be just 106 units of it ever made, the same as with the F1, each selling for £1.75million plus taxes.

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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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