McLaren 720S GT3 is one cool racer
If you thought the McLaren 720S looked sweet, get a load of the Bathurst-bound race car!Imagine being rich beyond belief and a talented driver … and getting to flog one of these around the world's best race tracks?
Although 99.99 per cent of the population will never get to drive this incredible new McLaren 720S GT3 racer, which has just been revealed by the British supercar company, it doesn't hurt to dream...
Power comes from a race-tuned version of the company's new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 (M840T), and is transferred to the rear wheels via six-speed sequential shift transmission.
The bodywork looks insane, thanks to an aerodynamic optimisation kit made from an exotic variety of carbon-fibre and composite materials.
The huge rear wing, grass-cutting front splitter and preposterous rear diffuser are enough to make a car enthusiast drool, while suspension comprises adjustable dampers with coil-over springs fore and aft.
For the record, the 'regular' McLaren 720S packs a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 worth 530kW and 770Nm. It's crazy fast, ripping to 100km/h in 2.9sec and a top speed eclipsing 300km/h. We scored the car 93/100, one of the best ratings ever on this website.
The GT3 race car is based around the 720S road car's MonoCage II carbon-fibre tub and McLaren will launch (and probably tweak) the car in the single-make 2018 Pure McLaren GT series before it becomes available to customers for race duties in the GT3 category in 2019.
One of its first major tests could be the 2019 Bathurst 12-Hour in February that year. Watch this space.
McLaren Automotive CEO, Mike Flewitt, said the new 720S GT3 race car will expand the brand's motorsport scope.
"McLaren is built on racing and providing our growing family of customers with unique and exhilarating driving experiences," he said.
"It therefore makes sense for us to unveil a dedicated, widened motorsport program designed to support and enable more of our customers to focus on enjoying the thrill of pushing our cars on the track.
"The 720S GT3 will provide a stunning race-going addition to our Super Series product family and drivers will now be able to hone their skills under expert guidance backed-up by our technicians at the circuit and our motorsport retailers away from it."
McLaren isn't doing so well in F1 at present, so you can bet your bottom dollar it'll be keen to make amends in the GT3 category.
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