McLaren 650S GT3 unveiled at Goodwood
McLaren displayed the car that will replace the four-year-old MP4–12C in the GT3 racing series — the 650S GT3 — at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The 650S GT3 is built on the same carbon fibre monocoque chassis as the standard 650S and utilises the same 3.8-litre V8 twin-turbo engine that develops around 500bhp, as per the FIA’s Balance of Performance (BOP) regulations. McLaren has enhanced the cooling system by installing larger intakes within the front bumper and re-profiled side intakes without sacrificing aerodynamics.
Compared to the road-going version, the track-spec GT3 has revised suspension geometry, a wider track (52mm up on the 12C GT3) and updates to the overall setup which enhance driveability in GT racing. In addition, the updates have been made with a focus on endurance racing. The 650S GT3 is also lighter than the 12 GT3 that it will replace thanks to a new rollcage.
Apart from the wider bodywork, the 650S GT3 gets a six-speed Xtrac gearbox rather than the Ricardo transmission that was used on the road-going 650S. Like other track-spec models, brakes get bigger (380mm front discs/ 355mm rear discs) and the suspension is replaced by an all-new race-tuned suspension system which allows for the fitment of larger diameter wheels. The 650S GT3 comes with 18-inch aluminium alloy wheels which are held in place with a single wheel retaining nut on motorsport axles.
Andrew Kirkaldy, Managing Director of McLaren GT (the GT race car manufacturing arm of McLaren Group), has announced that McLaren strived to improve the serviceability of the car and reduce running costs. He explained that there had been significant focus on “broadening the performance envelop” so that amateur drivers can exploit the full potential of the car.
Priced at £330,000 plus taxes (Rs 3.37 crore), McLaren is building 15 units for the next GT racing season and hopes to have 15 upgraded cars as well. People who have shelled out cash for the MP4–12C can also avail the benefits and will be able to upgrade to 650S specification as the CF body and engine are the same.
The McLaren 650S GT3 will undergo testing next week and will undertake, according to Kirkaldy, “a pretty full-on test programme” over the second half of this season.
