autoevolution
 

McLaren Names Speedtail Prototype “Albert”

McLaren Speedtail prototype "Albert" 22 photos
Photo: McLaren
McLaren Speedtail prototype "Albert"McLaren Speedtail prototype "Albert"McLaren Speedtail prototype "Albert"2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail2020 McLaren Speedtail
Developed in Woking, the Speedtail is the most exciting McLaren of all time, full stop. This test mule serves as one of the prototypes the British automaker will use to develop the road-going model, and as a tribute to the F1 from the 1990s, McLaren named the prototype “Albert.”
Also designated MVY02, the prototype will being public-road trials in December 2018. The year-long testing regime serves as the run-up to the start of production towards the end of 2019, with customer deliveries scheduled to kick off in the first quarter of 2020.

“The start of real-world testing represents a major step in the development of the McLaren Speedtail,” said Ben Gulliver, head of vehicle development. “With a huge amount achieved already, the Speedtail is well on the way to fulfilling its destiny as the greatest McLaren road car ever.”

Codenamed BP23 and featuring seating for three like the F1, the Speedtail is priced at £1.75 million plus applicable taxes. As with the V12-powered predecessor, McLaren will produce 106 examples of the breed, and each one has been allocated before the world premiere of the hypercar.

"As the first fully representative prototype, Albert will build on the invaluable work still being put in by earlier development cars, allowing us to sign-off vehicle attributes including chassis dynamics, brake performance, damper tuning, tires, NVH, and aspects of ergonomics and comfort,” concluded Gulliver.

The ridiculous length (5,137 millimeters), aerodynamic trickery (such as the static aero-covers on the front wheels and door mirror-replacing camera system), as well as the hybrid powertrain with up to 1,050 PS (1,036 horsepower) enable a top speed of 403 km/h (250 mph). In other words, the Speedtail is the fastest McLaren entitled to wear a license plate.

Internal combustion comes courtesy of the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 from the 720S and Senna, and on full throttle, zero to 186 mph (300 km/h) takes 12.8 seconds. The Bugatti Chiron, by comparison, needs 13.1 seconds to hit that speed.

 

This #McLaren #Speedtail prototype is officially designated MVY02* but echoing the naming of development test mules of its legendary forebear, the 1992 McLaren F1, it has been christened, ‘Albert’. This is a respectful reflection not only on the name of the McLaren F1 mule ‘Albert’ but also the Albert Drive premises in which the F1 was designed.

A post shared by McLaren Automotive (@mclarenauto) on Nov 9, 2018 at 5:35am PST

 

Closed-facility testing of the fastest McLaren ever is now underway; public road trials are due to commence in December 2018. What would you do if you saw a #McLaren #Speedtail on the road?

A post shared by McLaren Automotive (@mclarenauto) on Nov 9, 2018 at 5:34am PST

 

Introducing 'Albert', the first McLaren Speedtail attribute prototype. Soon to embark on a year long rigorous real-world testing regime, 'Albert' will join Speedtail prototypes running in Europe, North America and Africa, initially at bespoke automotive test facilities but later amongst traffic on ‘normal’ roads. For the ultimate in McLaren F1 knowledge, do you know why this Speedtail mule is called 'Albert'? #McLaren #Speedtail

A post shared by McLaren Automotive (@mclarenauto) on Nov 9, 2018 at 5:29am PST

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram
About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories