The 2014 McLaren P1 debuted with its hulking 3.8-liter V-8 and electric motor that together produced a mighty 903 horsepower and approximately 1,100 pound-feet of twist. McLaren has already made it clear that there will be plenty of special-edition P1s, and in 2015 the first of these arrives in the form of a track-exclusive P1. In a nod to the McLaren F1 GTR that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1995, the track-prepped P1 carries the same GTR moniker.

Besides featuring a host of aerodynamic and technical improvements, which translate into more horsepower and improved performance, the P1 GTR also marks the introduction of McLaren's full customer racing program. Just like Ferrari->ke252 and Lamborghini,->ke44 the Brits are upping the ante toward organizing private racing events on famous Formula One->ke190 tracks, but not before the buyers receive private consultations with McLaren's racing division. Read on to meet McLaren's new and utterly powerful race car.->ke148

Continue reading to learn more about the McLaren P1 GTR.

Live images from Monterey are courtesy of Carninja and are used with expressed permission.

2016 McLaren P1 GTR

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 McLaren P1 GTR
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 986
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

*** McLaren took the already menacing looking P1 even further with a race-inspired body kit ***

While the road-legal P1 is already one of the most aerodynamic supercars available today, McLaren has managed to take it even further with the race-inspired body kit that adorns the GTR.

Modifications begin up front, where a new bumper and a huge splitter replace the standard pieces. The separate bumper that lies right beneath the front bonnet and headlamps has been reshaped and now hosts a larger radiator. A bigger, GT-style splitter sticks out below the bumper and connect with the active aerodynamic flaps and the newly designed air ducts ahead of the front wheels.

An additional aerodynamic blade is located behind the aggressively flared front wheel arches. The revised side skirts continue with an additional side panel at the rear, mounted for both cooling and aerodynamic purposes. Other profile modifications include a lowered ride height, mirrors repositioned to the A pillars, and a set of lightweight, 19-inch alloy wheels. The rollers are 10.5 inches wide at the front and 13 inches at the rear and secured with race-spec, quick-release center-locking nuts.

*** Around back, the P1 GTR is even sexier. The rear internals are now exposed, emphasizing the vehicle's aggressive race character ***

Around back, the P1 GTR becomes even sexier. The pieces covering the rear fascia and the area between the central-mounted exhaust and carbon-fiber diffuser have been ditched altogether. The supercar's rear internals are now exposed, emphasizing the vehicle's aggressive race character. The remainder of the rear body panels and the diffuser have been revised as well, but the biggest addition is the fixed wing that extends to the full width of the P1 and is almost as high as the roofline. The large wing works in conjunction with the new diffuser for enhanced downforce and grip levels. Rounding off the rear section is a new exhaust system -- a straight-cut, twin-pipe setup. Developed exclusively for the P1 GTR, the new exhaust system is made from inconel and titanium alloy.

The concept showcased at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance features a livery that pays tribute to the original McLaren F1 GTR test car, which wore an orange-and-silver coat. The color combo has been reinterpreted for the P1 GTR, with the orange covering the lower areas of the body.

The production version revealed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, on the other hand, sports a yellow-and-green livery that pays homage to the No. 51, Harrods-sponsored F1 GTR that finished third in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans. After that result, the team went on to win the final three races of the BPR Championship. The car continued to race throughout 1996, making it one of the longest-serving examples of the race-spec F1 GTR.

Interior

*** The carbon-fiber MonoCage chassis is carried over from the road car, but most amenities have been removed to save weight ***

The P1 GTR's interior is as track-focused as it gets. The carbon-fiber MonoCage chassis is carried over from the road car, but most amenities have been removed to shave more weight from the vehicle. As a result, the whole structure weighs only 198.4 pounds (90 kg), a figure that also includes the roof, roof snorkel, engine air intake cavity, battery, and electronics housing. Making things even better is that the race car sees no reduction in headroom for the driver, as the rollcage is incorporated into the MonoCage.

The main highlight of the interior is the new, race-spec steering wheel. The unit has been designed to make all controls as easily accessible as possible, with all of the mode switches located in the center of the wheel. This allows the driver to adjust the setup and characteristics of the P1 GTR without having to take his hands off the wheel. Based on the steering wheel of the McLaren MP4-23 Formula One car, the unit is also equipped with DRS and IPAS buttons, both of which can be operated with race gloves on.

Other features that are not available on the road car include lightweight, DTM-style seats with six-point harnesses. The carbon-fiber seats are tailored to suit each driver, and are mounted directly to the chassis. Unlike most of today's race cars, the P1 GT3 retains the air-conditioning system from the road-going car.

Drivetrain

The P1's already powerful drivetrain has been updated to deliver even more horsepower. The output now sits at 986 horsepower, 83 more than the street-legal supercar. The additional power comes from the motorsport-optimized 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V8 and a lightweight electric motor. The GTR keeps the P1's seven-speed, twin-clutch automatic transmission, but revised internals enable quicker shifts. As far as performance figures go, expect the P1 GTR to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in as low as 2.4 seconds, a 0.2-second improvement compared to the standard P1. Top speed should remain unchanged at 217 mph.

McLaren says the P1 GTR benfits from a race-prepped suspension with a fixed ride height, lower than the standard car. A revised braking system reins in the 986 horsepower throbbing under the hood. Both grip and braking are enhanced by the supercar's bespoke slick tires, specifically developed by McLaren's racing division and Pirelli.

Price

*** McLaren is offering a full racing program with the car ***

Not surprising, the P1 GTR won't come cheap. McLaren will only sell it to customers who have already purchased the road-legal P1, and they will have to fork over £1.98 million ($3.36 million as of 06/13/2014) to buy one. The sticker makes the P1 GTR twice as expensive than its street-spec brother, but McLaren is offering a full racing program with the car. The program will include private consultations with the McLaren driver-fitness team and company design director Frank Stephenson, as well as access to one of McLaren's dedicated racing simulators. What's more, customers will also benefit from at least six drive events to be held on certain Formula One->ke190 tracks. Sounds like McLaren is finally establishing a proper customer program. Production is limited to only 58 units.

P1 GTR Driver Program

The track-only P1 GTR comes with its very own Driver Program, joining the very exclusive ranks of the Ferrari FXX K. The program began at Circuit de Catalunya in Spain in 2015, after an initial test session at the Silverstone track in England, as well individual driver profiling sessions at the McLaren Technology Centre. These sessions included a race seat fitting, a Human Performance Centre assessment, and final discussions in regard to the design and livery of each model with McLaren Automotive Design Director Frank Stephenson. Additionally, each driver experienced the McLaren P1 GTR through the company's advanced simulator for the first time.

Competitors

Ferrari FXX-K

Just like the P1 is the pinnacle of McLaren knowledge and technology, the LaFerrari is the embodiment of Ferrari craftsmanship and passion for high-performance supercars. Both were introduced at the same time last year, both feature a hybrid powertrain, and offer impressive output figures and staggering looks. Both are ready to go against each other on the street and both have spawned track-only versions. Ferrari's proposition is called the FXX-K and it's a successor to the Enzo FXX. Sporting similar aerodynamic upgrades and weight-saving measures, the FXX-K is also more powerful than its road-legal counterpart. The hybrid drivetrain, which brings together the familiar 6.3-liter V-12 and an electric more, cranks out a whopping 1,036 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, 86 horses more than the standard model. The FXX-K is also more exotic than the P1 GTR, with production set at only 40 units. Pricing starts from $3.1 million and they aren't available for just anyone. In order to buy one, you need to own a few more Ferraris. Also, despite the massive sticker, owners won't get to keep the car, which will remain with Ferrari outside the special track events.

Read our full story on the Ferrari FXX-K.

Aston Martin Vulcan

The Vulcan arrived in 2016 as Aston Martin’s first full-fledged supercar. Built on a bespoke platform and with unique design and aerodynamics, the Vulcan is also a track-only vehicle and comes with a racing program. This makes it the perfect competitor for the FXX-K. But while the FXX-K is a hybrid, the Vulcan AMR Pro uses a naturally aspirated 7.0-liter V-12. Output is 820 horsepower, which might not be as much as the Ferrari's, but it’s enough to push it to 60 mph in less than three seconds and up to a top speed of at least 200 mph. It rides on a pushrod suspension with anti-dive geometry and Multimatic’s Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve dampers, the latter providing high levels of adjustability. There’s also variable traction control and anti-lock braking, as well as Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes. Production is limited to only 24 units, each priced from around $2.3 million.

Read our full story on the Aston Martin Vulcan.

McLaren F1 GTR

The McLaren F1 GTR was a racing version of the F1. The GTR was first produced in 1995, three years after the road-going F1 hit the streets. Built in regular and "Long Tail" body configurations, the F1 GTR started in several events from 1995 until 2005, when the final chassis was retired. Its most famous success came in 1995, when Yannick Dalmas, Masanori Sekiya and JJ Lehto won the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Conclusion

The McLaren P1 is already one of the most spectacular and powerful supercars ever built. Naturally, the P1 GTR can only improve on that, despite the fact that it is confined to the race track. But as important as the P1 GTR's nearly 1,000 horsepower and sexy body kit is the full customer racing program that comes with it. It is McLaren's first venture into private racing events and consultations and puts the British on par with Italian rivals from Ferrari and Lamborghini. Seeing a pack of P1 GTRs being tossed around six Formula One tracks will be enticing to say the least.

Update History

Updated 03/03/2015: The new 2016 McLaren P1 GTR made its official debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Check out the "Pictures" tab for some images taken during the live unveiling.

Updated 02/24/2015: McLaren unveiled a new promo video for its new P1 GTR. The car went face to face with its ancestor, the F1 GTR, on the race track where both of them did great. Enjoy!

Updated 02/18/2015: McLaren unveiled the first images and details on the production version P1 GTR with just a few days before its official debut in Geneva. Click past the jump for the new details.

Updated 01/16/2015: McLaren announced that the production version P1 GTR will be officially unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show in March. The announcement comes with a new video (above) showing the car's latest stages from the development program. Enjoy!

Updated 6/19/2014: In a press release, McLaren said the "latest track-focused model from McLaren GT to make world debut at 11.00BST, Friday 27 June" at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The model the British automaker is referring seems to be the P1 GTR. In addition to the announcement of its official unveiling, McLaren also released a new teaser image, which you can see above. From this image, we can make out the massive rear wing even better -- it looks to be a fixed wing -- the Pirelli racing rubber, and the Tag Heuer and Mobil 1 decals. No other details were released at this time, but we'll update you as soon as the P1 GTR hits the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Updated 07/25/2014: McLaren unveiled a new teaser image for the future P1 GTR before the car's official debut on Friday August, 15 at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Updated 08/15/2014: McLaren has released a final teaser image (above) of the P1 GTR ahead of its debut at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance!

Updated 09/05/2014: The new McLaren P1 GTR will make its European premiere at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Concours on September 6th and 7th, 2014. With the occasion McLaren released the first images showing the car during the initial testing phase.

Updated 10/22/2014: McLaren unveiled a new set of images and the first details on the P1 GTR's interior. A new video was also made available. Check past the jump for the new details.