Everything We Know About The McLaren Solus GT
The McLaren Solus GT is a specially made track-only car that combines the tech of jets and F1 cars. The […]
Monza Staff
The McLaren Solus GT is a specially made track-only car that combines the tech of jets and F1 cars.
The McLaren Solus GT was first launched virtually for a game and has now made its debut in the real world. There will only be 25 of these, and all of them have already been sold. The Solus will make its way to the buyers’ garages in 2023. It’s a rare engineering marvel that the owners can proudly brag about. This supercar has a naturally aspirated V10 motor that revs to 10,000 RPM.
The Solus GT is an aerodynamically designed machine that weighs less to make it as sublime as it can be, which also aids in achieving those big numbers on track. However, it is strictly a track-only car and can’t be driven on roads. A single-seater car with a cockpit and a jet-like sliding canopy, the Solus GT also has an F1-inspired steering wheel located at the center.
This new McLaren is bound to give its drivers the most thrilling time of their lives, but sadly only on the race tracks.
A Performance Beast
The single-seater McLaren Solus GT with a jet-like cockpit was unveiled at Monterey Car Week in California. The car was first unveiled in the virtual world through the Gran Turismo SPORT game and has now made its way into reality.
This car has a 5.2 L V10 engine in a naturally aspirated guise and generates 829 bhp with 479 lb-ft of peak torque. Its engine is well-connected to the chassis, which allows it to stick to the track while breaking speed records. The Solus GT can hit 62 mph in just 2.5 seconds and reach speeds up to 200 mph. The vehicle uses a seven-speed sequential gearbox with a casing made up of elements such as aluminum and magnesium.
The car is so aerodynamic that it weighs less than 2,205 lbs and has a downforce of 2,646 lbs. Several pods surround the wheels to help make this possible. The front splitter sends air to ground-effect tunnels underneath the body, and the engine’s radiators are installed in the side pods that are part of the rear fenders. Double wishbones have been added to the suspensions on both sides. The front body exposes the pushrod-operated dampers, and the pull rods are at the car’s rear. As a result, the car’s rear wing produces a significant amount of downforce. The strong dynamics of the vehicle are aided by CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and wind-tunnel aerodynamic research.
The fixed rear wing is a twin element that adds downforce that exceeds the car’s overall weight. The downforce to drag ratio is also tuned, which enhances straight-line speed and cornering ability.
The 18-inch forged aluminum wheels with center locking nuts are housed within the iconic wheel pods and are dressed with Le Mans Prototype-specification tires available in both slick and wet compounds. The 6-piston monobloc machined aluminum calipers and carbon brake discs and pads ensure precise braking. The driver can also adjust the bias between the front and the rear brakes in the cockpit.
Where Jets Meet F1 Machines
As opposed to having any doors, this car has a canopy that slides forward through a shallow arc to access the interior. This isn’t a typical car door or even McLaren’s signature dihedral doors; it’s more like getting into a fighter jet plane.
In an interior centered solely on the driver and performance, the means of getting into the car adds to the sense of occasion. The pedal box adjustment is similar to that of a race car but conveniently uses a remote control from the seating position. The seat position is fixed; Solus GT owners engage in their own motorsport-style ‘seat fitting’, with motorsport-style pedal box adjustments.
Taking inspiration from Formula 1, McLaren’s steering wheel takes on the design of an F1 car, offering a dash display and essential controls integrated to suit a single-seater track car’s tight confine. Within the roll hoop, a wide-angle camera is mounted on a rear-view display and feeds integrated halo-style cockpit protection. Located beyond the steering wheel, a view is provided through a glass’ bubble’, which is protected by a halo-style cockpit shield. Designed with a perfectly symmetrical 180-degree line of sight, the car gives the driver excellent track positioning thanks to the stylish wheel pods.
McLaren also offers Solus GT owners a comprehensive ‘racing driver experience’ to add to the exhilaration. This incorporates a driving seat contoured to the driver’s particular body shape, an FIA-homologated race suit, helmet, and HANS device unique to each owner, and radio-enabled ear implants. A thorough driver-development coaching program will also be provided to aid owners in ultimately realizing the potential of this track-exclusive hypercar.
The GT is presently being tried on the racetrack. Customers can access concept drive sessions where they may give feedback on the car’s growth. When the program comes to an end, these individuals will be given access to special track events too. A flight case will also consist of tools, jacks, supports, radio sets, and a coolant pre-heater, enabling them to carry the machine to additional events.