The roots of the McLaren Solus GT are in a stunning concept that featured in the Gran Turismo SPORT video game. From the original design sketches through to the virtual gaming triumph and now the astonishing machine that an exclusive few customers will enjoy on track, this is a car that epitomises the 'everything for a reason' design philosophy and relentless pursuit of engineering excellence within every McLaren. From the outset, the concept was based on proven aerodynamic principles, with a sports-prototype racecar package as its foundation. The bodywork is very much a technical sculpture, shrink-wrapped over the high-performance engineering package and the two full-length ground effect tunnels. These contain distinctive air intakes at the front and a NACA duct - a low-drag air inlet - which also acts as a step, accelerating the airflow into the radiators. From the front, the distinctive McLaren 'hammerhead' nose helps to separate airflow from the underbody ground effects and the full-length diffuser. The visibility from the wraparound canopy screen of the teardrop cockpit is outstanding, with an uncluttered, 180-degree view of a track. The wheel pods in each corner are not only a dominating design feature, they also allow overall weight-reduction and individually 'work' the airflow with a distinctive tear-drop shape that ends in a dramatic blade-like rear edge to calm the turbulent air in the wake of each tyre and mitigate pressure build-up within the wheel well.
Powertrain with a proven motorsport pedigree
The 5.2-litre V10 engine specified to power the McLaren Solus GT is incorporated into the vehicle chassis structure. The engine capacity is unique to the Solus GT, as are the air intake and exhaust system. The induction system directs air towards barrel throttles that are individual to each cylinder - a technology that is not suitable for road use but offers clear advantages in engine performance, including improved throttle response. The engine also incorporates low-volume machined components optimised for performance and is entirely gear-driven; there are no chains or belts for ancillary systems. Output is greater than 840PS, with the full benefit of the ram effect provided by the high air intake and the engine revving past 10,000rpm. Maximum torque is in excess of 650Nm. The resulting performance is a target acceleration time of 2.5 seconds from standstill to 100km/h and a maximum speed in excess of 200mph, despite the Solus GT generating downforce that exceeds its weight.
Engineering a virtual design into extreme reality
The original engineering brief for the McLaren Solus GT was to turn a prestigious virtual gaming concept into an extremely powerful and highly exclusive McLaren hypercar. This was to be a track-only car, with motorsport engineering expertise and a V10 powertrain coming together to deliver the supreme driver engagement demanded for a no-compromises experience. The racing-derived engine was chosen for reasons of packaging as well as performance; a pared-down track car with minimal weight and shrink-wrapped bodywork meant having the engine as part of the chassis was a natural choice. This construction technique is rarely seen in production cars for NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) reasons, but in a focused track car it gives many benefits, not least added feedback and exhilarating engagement for the driver. Once the programme parameters were set, the engineering team faced the challenge of integrating real-world aerodynamic performance into the original design surfaces. This was resolved with extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and wind-tunnel work to prove the aerodynamic, cooling and efficiency properties of the concept.
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