![]() ![]() Self-proclaimed as “an untamed Le Mans race car with number plates”, the McLaren F1 was arguably the fastest and most powerful road car at the time of its introduction. Aerodynamic enhancements and stickier tires allows the LM to corner and accelerate more adeptly than the ‘regular’ F1, though the former would reduce top speed from 231 mph to 225 mph. To further exclaim its tribute to the race car, the LM also features a lower, stiffer and track-tuned suspension and a stripped down interior. Without any racing restrictions in place, the LM was able to shed 60 kg compared to the GTR and produced an additional 68-horsepower, for a total of 680-horsepower. Not only was it far from being just a replica, the LM is actually lighter and more powerful than the GTR race car. The McLaren F1 LM was much more than just another cosmetic recreation of a race car. The vast majority of media circulating on the web and magazines, showcases the car with a papaya orange paint job – a nod to Bruce McLaren’s racing cars – though it has come to light more recently that two of the three examples delivered to The Sultan of Brunei were painted black. The LM was limited to just five examples, one for each of the F1 GTRs that competed in that memorable race. To commemorate its success at Le Mans, McLaren was quick to unveil a celebratory road-legal variant called the F1 LM later that year. The GTR would continue to race for another 10 years before the chassis would be retired. This feat was made all the more impressive due to the poor conditions on the day, and the GTR’s ability to compete with cars in the prototype class. In its debut year, five McLaren F1 GTRs would compete and finish in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans, amounting to famous victories in both class and overall standings. ![]() The GTR was fitted with the same engine as the road going version, although some modifications and restrictors were installed in order to satisfy the appropriate racing regulations. Related: McLaren F1 Image Gallery / McLaren F1 Videos / McLaren News / McLaren Model ListĪlthough Murray had vehemently opposed the idea of the McLaren F1 being anything other than a road car, he would later soften this view and a racing variant known as the McLaren F1 GTR was produced in 1995 and purposed for grand touring racing. ![]() Throughout the project, Murray was adamant about not using turbochargers or superchargers to achieve those figures, as he felt that this would help in emulating the resilience of the Honda NSX’s immensely reliable motor. This collaboration would end up being the catalyst in creating one of the best engines ever made – a naturally aspirated 6.1L V12, with 627-horsepower. However, they would end up partnering with BMW’s M Division to commission a power plant exact to Murray’s desired specifications – he wanted an engine with at least 4.5,L in a V10 or V12 configuration, and without forced induction. “Of course the car we would create, the McLaren F1, needed to be faster than the NSX, but the NSX’s ride quality and handling would become our new design target.”įurthermore, Murray initially wanted to leverage Mclaren’s relationship with the Japanese automaker, and envisioned Honda supplying the engine for the McLaren F1. “The moment I drove the ‘little’ NSX, all the benchmark cars– Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini–I had been using as references in the development of my car vanished from my mind,” said Murray. Indeed, it was the Honda NSX that set the precedence and direction for the F1 and its overall design directive, ultimately having a profound effect on the end product. To plug Honda and its enthusiasts, Murray has been less than coy when it comes to where he drew his inspiration for the creation of the F1. Namely, the ultimate road car – one that is enjoyable in everyday conditions, while still at the zenith of road car performance. Its generously appointed interior was configured to seat up to three – albeit with its signature centre-located driver’s seat – and even came with luggage compartments fitted under each rear fender.ĭesigned by the legendary Gordon Murray, who had one goal in mind, the McLaren F1 was built to be the fastest and best handling production car in the world. While its composition and performance metrics certainly felt space-grade for the times, the McLaren F1 remained more down to earth in its approach to being comfortable and refined, with positive road manners. ![]() It paved the way for an increasingly mainstream use of materials such as carbon fiber, kevlar and titanium in sports cars and was the first production car to use a monocoque chassis. Launched in 1992, the McLaren F1 would go on to revolutionize the supercar industry with many of its core characteristics still referenced in the production of today’s most exotic vehicles. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |