McLaren hyper-GT not confirmed for Oz

McLaren’s modern re-interpretation of the iconic F1, the three-seater codenamed BP23, is yet to be confirmed for Australia. Indeed, Managing Director of McLaren Asia Pacific, George Biggs, says the car's homologation for Australia and some other markets “will be challenging”.

Speaking in Melbourne this morning, Bigg’s told motoring.com.au McLaren was “hoping” that the car will be eligible for registration in Australia but cautioned the discussion with authorities “still needed to mature”.

Under current Australia Design Rules the steering wheel of a car must be at or to the right-side of the vehicle’s centreline. Although the BP23 qualifies thanks to its McLaren F1-style driver-central three-seat layout, ADRs also prohibit any passenger seating position to the right of the driver. It’s this provision that would exclude the BP23.

Just 106 of the BP23s will be built. McLaren says the build program is “sold out” but Biggs confirmed that local expressions of interest have been registered. The car, dubbed a hyper-GT by McLaren, is due to arrive on the market in 2020-21.

McLaren sold over 100 cars Down Under in 2017 – “organic growth,” Biggs stated. With demand for the new 720S strong and interest in the Sport Series models bolstered via the new 570S Spyder, the UK-based supercar marque is expected to increase its footprint again in 2018.

Despite the question mark for the BP23, local McLaren aficionados won’t go unrewarded. The current pinnacle of the McLaren performance pyramid, the 720S-based Senna, has been confirmed for local delivery, Biggs stated. Just 500 of the Sennas will be produced, with a small number of right-hand drive models already accounted for by Aussie owners.