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McLaren 720S GT3X throws out the rule book to go faster than a race car

Race cars are some of the fastest machines on Earth. And they could be faster, if it weren't for these pesky things called "rules." Proving this point is the McLaren 720S GT3X, which takes the basic GT3-class race car and cranks up the performance, because there are no rules for track toys. Nestled between the driver and the drive wheels is the expected twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 from the race car, complete with blueprinted cylinder heads and beefed up internals. But now it makes 710 horsepower, an increase of 197 over the GT3 race car. And at the push of a button, you can get a 30-horse overboost for a maximum of 740 horsepower. It's coupled to a six-speed sequential transmission. All of this is in a package weighing just 2,668 pounds, so it should be enormously entertaining. You can even share the experience with a friend, thanks to the redesigned roll cage that allowed for a second bucket seat and harness to be installed. Ideally a close friend, because that's what they'll be when they climb into the tight cockpit. But that's more than you can say for the single-occupant GT3 race car. McLaren also improved the brake cooling system to ensure the car can handle the extra weight of your ballast, er, friend. The downside to the 720S GT3X is that, because it follows no rules but its own, it's restricted in where it can drive. Neither a road car nor a race car, it's only able to be used as a track toy. Still, it should be a very fun track toy. And if you want one, McLaren is taking orders now. It can be purchased at a McLaren Motorsports dealer, and the car is built to order. McLaren will also provide technical support at your first track event with the car to ensure everything goes smoothly. No price for the car has been given, but that probably doesn't matter if you're thinking of buying one. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

McLaren Artura is a thoroughly new hybrid supercar

For the first time since the P1, McLaren has returned to the hybrid game with the Artura. And although it looks an awful lot like McLaren's Sports Series supercars, it's apparently an all-new car underneath, and it packs a very new twin-turbo V6 paired with an electric motor. The Artura, as previously announced, is based on a new carbon fiber tub, as well as many new chassis components. The rear suspension is all new, too. But the highlight is that hybrid twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6. It's a 120-degree-angle engine with the turbos nestled in the V, and features a dry-sump oil system and 8,500-rpm redline. It also happens to be 110 pounds lighter than McLaren's usual V8s. Alone, it makes 577 horsepower and 431 pound-feet of torque. But it's also paired to an electric motor that makes 94 horsepower and 166 pound-feet. Together they make 671 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. The motor also helps to fill in for the lack of torque at low rpm and provide better throttle response. With the 7.4-kWh battery, the motor can further provide gas-free driving for up to 19 miles. The engine and motor are paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It's unique in that it has no reverse gear, since the electric motor simply spins the other way for reverse. This makes the transmission smaller and lighter. Power goes solely to the rear wheels, and between them is an electronically controlled mechanical limited-slip differential, a first for McLaren. McLaren is quite proud of the fact that, despite the Artura including an electric motor and battery pack, the car weighs in at a respectable 3,305 pounds. With the relatively light weight and powerful engine, the car is capable of reaching 60 mph in 3 seconds on the way to a top speed of 205 mph. Performance isn't everything, though, and McLaren recognized this with the interior. It features a rather organic design, particularly for the instrument screen. That screen is attached to the steering column, so it moves and adjusts with the steering wheel. To the right is an 8-inch infotainment screen with an interesting watch crown-like control dial. The interior is packed with modern amenities such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights and even over-the-air updates. The Artura goes on sale in the third quarter of this year. Base price is $225,000. It will be available in four trims: the base model, Performance, TechLux and Vision.

How McLaren is rewriting the electric supercar formula

HEADLEY DOWN, England — There's nothing quite like the roar of a revving McLaren engine to set a petrolhead's pulse pounding, or the full-throated scream as it tears across the tarmac. Yet new gas-fueled engines like McLaren's could be illegal in many countries by 2030. The supercar maker, like all automakers, has to go electric — but that's easier said than done for a niche player that can't compromise the performance, and racing experience, that supports its rarefied pricing and exclusivity. McLaren could probably produce a fully-electric vehicle tomorrow, said Ruth Nic Aoidh, the British carmaker's executive director for purchasing. But the weight of today's batteries "would kill all of the attributes that make a McLaren a McLaren". So instead, Nic Aoidh says McLaren is taking more time to rethink the way it builds vehicles from the wheels up. It is also looking to overhaul its business model, to generate revenue from selling some of its new technology to other automakers. The people it ultimately has to keep happy are affluent enthusiasts like Steve Glynn, who make up McLaren's base. A racing driver, Glynn teaches others how to drive their supercars around private tracks, where the combination of raw speed and precise handling separate McLarens and Ferraris from cars that cost a tenth as much. Glynn just bought his fourth McLaren, a black 620R, in January. He declined to say what he paid for it, but the 620R starts at around 250,000 pounds ($346,000). "I'm a petrolhead through and through, but I think we have to accept the future of electrification beckons everyone," he said at his home in Headley Down, a village in southern England less than hour's drive from McLaren's Woking headquarters. "But an electrified McLaren would still have to put that same smile on your face." Even for deep-pocketed behemoths like Volkswagen AG, developing electric vehicles is an expensive proposition that is taxing their capital resources. Other smaller premium carmakers like Volkswagen unit Bentley or Tata Motors Ltd's Jaguar Land Rover, which both plan to electrify their model lineups by 2030, can rely on their owners' financial backing to make the switch. But for niche manufacturers like McLaren, lack of scale is a major challenge. Last year McLaren said it would cut 1,200 jobs - more than a quarter of its workforce - as it dealt with fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. McLaren's cars start at around 120,000 pounds and range up to 750,000 pounds.

McLaren Artura hybrid officially set for February 16 reveal

The long-awaited hybrid-powered McLaren Artura will be revealed next Tuesday, February 16. There’s a special showcase video that McLaren is putting on from Woking, England, that will come online at 7:01 p.m. ET that day. McLaren promises folks from its team and “brand personalities” (i.e. celebrities) will be introducing the car. To catch the event, McLaren says youÂ’ll want to visit this site that will be streaming the video live at reveal time. We donÂ’t have all the information as it concerns the Artura, but we do know some vitals. McLaren says it will be powered by a hybrid powertrain that features a completely new V6 engine. This will be the first McLaren since the brandÂ’s road car reinvention with the MP4-12C that isnÂ’t powered by a twin-turbo V8. ItÂ’s unclear how many electric motors will supplement the gas engine, but a previous report from Autocar predicted at least two with power going to the rear wheels exclusively. The Artura will also use McLarenÂ’s new Carbon Lightweight Architecture that is specifically designed for electrified models.  Above, youÂ’re looking at the single teaser image that McLaren released with its announcement today. ItÂ’s unmistakable as a McLaren in profile, as the shape looks a whole lot like the 570S. To see the car in full view (but slathered in concealing camouflage) check out McLarenÂ’s preview photos in this post here. And if youÂ’d like to see the carÂ’s full reveal, make sure to circle back here to this link right before the reveal is meant to begin. Related video:

McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris tests positive for COVID-19

McLaren driver Lando Norris has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now self-isolating, his Formula One team said on Tuesday. McLaren said in a statement that Norris had returned a positive result on Monday in Dubai, where he is on a holiday before the team's training camp. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Norris, 21, said that he took a COVID-19 test after losing his sense of taste and smell. "I feel alright and have no other symptoms," he wrote on Twitter. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Norris is the fourth F1 driver to test positive for the novel coronavirus after seven-times champion Lewis Hamilton, Mexican Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll of Racing Point (now Aston Martin) returned positive tests last season. Norris finished ninth in the drivers standings last season.

Roll like His Airness in this Mercedes SLR McLaren previously owned by Michael Jordan

Often called the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan also has an interest in fast machines, as evidenced by the recent announcement that he would be establishing a NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, together with Denny Hamlin and featuring Bubba Wallace behind the wheel. It's hardly surprising, then, that he would also be an owner of multiple supercars, many of which could be seen in the ESPN documentary The Last Dance. One of Jordan's previous supercars, this 2007 Mercedes SLR McLaren, is now up for sale on eBay Motors. Besides its celebrity provenance, this Mercedes SLR McLaren is special for another reason: It's the special 722 Edition, built to commemorate the 1955 Mercedes-Benz win at the Mille Miglia. That winning Mercedes-Benz 300SLR racer, piloted by Sir Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson, was car #722 (so designated because of its 7:22 a.m. start time). The SLR McLaren 722 Edition features a 650-horsepower supercharged 5.5-liter V8 engine and is able to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 3.6 seconds. Top speed is 209 mph. Good thing the front splitter and rear diffuser are modified for increased downforce at high speeds. The ride height also is lowered and the suspension stiffened compared to the regular car, and larger brake rotors are fitted. The interior brings leather and Alcantara upholstery along with gloss-finished carbon fiber trim. Special black wheels and subtle red "722" badges complete the picture. This car has 1,038 miles on the clock, so it must not have been in heavy rotation with Jordan's many other rides. At this writing, the car has a bid of $35,100 with the reserve not met. We'd guess bidding has a way to go before someone has a realistic chance of driving this baby home, since the Buy-It-Now price is $695,750. Featured Gallery Mercedes SLR McLaren ex-Michael Jordan Auto News Celebrities McLaren Mercedes-Benz Auctions Coupe Supercars

Nissan GT-R, Armada and the new Kia Sorento | Autoblog Podcast #658

In this week's Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder and Road Test Editor Zac Palmer for the final episode of 2020. They've been driving some interesting cars, including the Nissan GT-R, the new Nissan Armada, a Mercedes-Benz GLA and a pair of new-gen Kia Sorentos. They talk a bit about an interesting new EV called the Ace from Alpha Motor Corporation. Finally, the trio takes turns talking about their favorite cars they drove this year. Enjoy, and we'll be back with more episodes in 2021. Autoblog Podcast #658 Get The Podcast iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown What we're driving:2021 Nissan GT-R 2021 Nissan Armada 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLA 2021 Kia Sorento Alpha Motor Corporation unveils Ace electric coupe Our favorite cars of the year: Zac: Lotus Evora GT John: Polestar 2 Greg: McLaren GT Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on iTunes Related Video: Green Podcasts Kia Lotus McLaren Mercedes-Benz Nissan Coupe Crossover SUV Electric Luxury Performance Sedan Polestar

2020 McLaren GT | Grand Touring, with an edge

As the winter settles in, I find myself reflecting on the most memorable cars that I’ve tested this year. Chief among them, the McLaren GT. I drove the GT on a damp midsummer evening. After a lengthy heatwave, temperatures dipped into the low 60s and it was raining lightly. Not the ideal time to drive a $263,000 supercar. And yet, it was impossible not to be excited and curious.  McLaren has come a long way in a short time. With a decade under its belt as a standalone automotive operation, the company is delivering on ambitious growth plans and now counts four product lines in its portfolio, ranging from the Ultimate to this GT. ItÂ’s a surprising trajectory considering McLaren is best known for making shooting stars, like the 1990s F1 that captured the zeitgeist for supercars of that era. The F1 was followed by the indelible Mercedes-McLaren SLR from 2003-2010.  It wasnÂ’t until 2011 that McLaren Automotive — freshly spun off from the racing team — attempted a credible road-going car that could actually be purchased and driven by normal enthusiasts. That car, the 12C, was a first step that ultimately led to proliferation of vehicles and technology for McLaren. After a few hours of spirited driving the GT, my conclusion boiled down to one word: maturity. It over-delivered as a grand tourer, though the car is about as much of a GT as the Ford GT, which is to say, not much. My back was a little tight when I returned home, fatigued but not abused. The McLaren GT is a driving workout on par with an Audi R8 or Lamborghini Huracan. Performance? It has plenty. But also notable, the fit-and-finish is solid, the looks are striking and it felt like the product of a company thatÂ’s been doing this for awhile, which McLaren hasnÂ’t. Certainly competitive with Ferraris and Lamborghis and interesting in its own way. A small shop like McLaren is always going to face challenges achieving scale and consistent prosperity, and the pandemic wreaked havoc on the automaking and racing units. Still, the GT is indicative the company can expand without overreaching. As I parse my notes from that drive, hereÂ’s three takeaways that remain with me, months later, crystallizing the GTÂ’s place in the modern performance world. Exterior design: More than just the doors The GT is one of the best-looking McLarens of this or any era. The cowls on the side behind the doors give the car a sinister, almost Decepticon vibe, but the rest of the car is relatively subtle.

McLaren Sabre revealed with over 800 horsepower and 218-mph top speed

The McLaren Sabre is out and ready for business. While McLaren hasn’t provided its usual full information drop and detailed set of photos, McLaren of Beverly Hills has posted the first customer car on its website and released some details about the car. One thing to know off the top is exclusivity: There will only be 15 Sabres built, and all of them are headed to the U.S. It was designed and personalized by McLaren Special Operations (MSO) to exacting U.S. standards, featuring “ideas and innovations that global homologation would not permit.” What those features and ideas are, McLaren isn't specifically disclosing (we asked). All McLaren could do was suggest that some of the aerodynamic elements and body work would not pass European or Asian homologation requirements. The Sabre is packing more power than any other non-hybrid McLaren, beating out the Elva by 20 horsepower for a total of 824 ponies and 590 pound-feet of torque from the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Acceleration figures arenÂ’t available, but top speed is 218 mph. That makes it the fastest two-seat McLaren ever. Given the Senna-like huge aero all throughout the SabreÂ’s body, we imagine itÂ’s rather lethal on a racetrack, too. McLaren says it involved the future owners in development of the Sabre more than any car previous. The 15 folks buying got to have a close relationship with the MSO team of designers, engineers and test drivers in an effort to personalize each car to their preferred specifications. McLaren flew out test mules for buyers to get behind the wheel of at the Thermal Club. Then, they got to tell McLaren what they thought of the drive. Typically, feedback comes after owners take delivery of the finished car, so this is rather unusual. ThereÂ’s no official price from McLaren on the Sabre, but it hardly matters. All 15 cars are spoken for and sold, so nobody else will need to mull over the likely exorbitant MSRP. Related video:

McLaren Sabre spy photos give us our best look yet at the new supercar

McLaren is quite a prolific supercar builder, so much so that it's dialing back the number of its releases. Still, development continues on various projects, including what may be called the McLaren Sabre, formerly known as BC-03, a vehicle that has stayed pretty well under the radar. But now we have some of the best shots yet of the car. Our spy photographer caught this example at a gas station and managed to get photos from a few key angles and in good light, unlike the solo nighttime shot we saw nearly a year ago. What we can see looks just like the leaked renderings from about a year ago, too. It looks like a cleaner, leaner McLaren Senna on the whole. It has a giant wing and a big fin down the middle, plus the split side windows. But the various scoops and vents are toned down, the curves are gentler with subtle creases, and the nose looks more like a Speedtail's. There are some unique styling cues, too, such as how the wing comes down to merge with the body like an LMP endurance racer, and the nifty openings in the engine cover. Details on the car aren't clear yet. Reportedly, only 15 units will be made. It will not be a hybrid, and it will cost around $3 million. That's about all we have to go on. It certainly looks like this prototype is pretty far along in development, what with the thin camouflage, so we're hoping to see it revealed soon, along with all the performance specs. Related Video: