To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Abu Dhabi event, 30
November 2019.
Estimate:
$2,200,000 - $2,400,000
- One of only 58 examples produced
- Unique, special-order colour scheme of Canepa Green and Papaya
Orange
- Virtually as-new, with delivery mileage
McLaren launched the P1 GTR at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show to
celebrate the 20th anniversary of the McLaren F1's victory at Le
Mans. It was the first time the GTR badge had been revived, and the
available build slots were offered exclusively to existing owners
of the 385 examples of the road-going McLaren P1. In a similar vein
to the Ferrari FXX programme, the P1 GTR was designed from the
outset to be the ultimate expression of the P1, honed and perfected
for its owners to enjoy on the racetrack, free of the constrictions
imposed by making a car legal for the road.
In line with the ethos that is the bedrock of McLaren, the devil is
in the details when it comes to assessing what makes the GTR so
special; rather than one major upgrade, its performance is built on
small changes that together create a large performance step�it is
seven seconds faster than the P1 around the Losail International
Circuit.
The engine is the same 3.8-litre V-8 featuring twin turbo chargers
running at 2.4 bar, aided by an electric motor that itself produces
in the region of 180 bhp, working its magic in a 'torque-filling'
role to eliminate any form of lag whilst the turbos are off boost
or spooling. In the road car, the power unit produces 903 bhp, but
for the GTR, it was gently fettled and sprinkled with items like
the bespoke straight-cut titanium and Inconel exhaust system to
liberate an extra 83 bhp, bringing total power output to 986 bhp or
1,000 PS�a figure almost identical to a Bugatti Veyron. Where the
Veyron and the GTR differ, though, is weight, the McLaren weighing
1,440 kg and the Bugatti near 1,900 kg, putting the GTR into a
different league in terms of power-to-weight. Importantly, the
engineers at Woking decided to use the same seven-speed dual-clutch
transmission as that found in the road-going P1, which helps make
the P1 GTR very approachable on the track even for the less
experienced driver.
Removing the constraints of road use also allowed developments to
be made to the chassis and aerodynamic package. Whilst the two cars
share the same Monocage carbon-fibre tub, the GTR forgoes the
heavier active suspension of the road car and employs a fixed
racing setup instead. Lightweight racing wheels shod in slick
Pirelli tyres not only reduce un-sprung weight, but also
considerably increase traction and grip, whilst a fixed full-width,
rear wing gives the GTR a 10% increase in downforce over the
standard P1. Even the wing mirrors were relocated from the doors
onto the A-pillars in the pursuit of aerodynamic performance and
improved visibility from the cockpit.
Inside, the car is familiar to existing P1 owners, albeit with a
sharp focus on further weight saving and track use. It is an
exercise in the pursuit of lightness and features a single fixed
carbon-fibre bucket seat, six-point harness, and a steering wheel
modelled on that used by Lewis Hamilton to win the 2008 Formula 1
World Drivers' Championship. All the small changes together total a
weight savings of over 50 kg next to its road-going sibling,
despite the addition of a car-to-pits radio, fire extinguishing
system, and onboard air jacking system.
This P1 GTR was delivered in the second week of December 2015 to
Bruce Canepa, and according to the consignor, it was the first P1
GTR delivered to the United States. It was specified in
special-order Canepa Green, a custom shade developed by both Canepa
and McLaren which looks black in low light but reveals itself as a
beautiful deep green in sunlight, not dissimilar from British
Racing Green. It is contrasted with trademark McLaren Papaya Orange
highlights for the rear wing, wing mirrors, and lower front fascia
in a nod to its maker.
The cockpit features an Alcantara-covered dashboard and instrument
cluster, and it is also unique in having the traditional McLaren
heritage badge on the nose, as found on the Mclaren F1, rather than
the more modern 'speedmark' logo, which was introduced in 1997.
This car presents in immaculate, factory-fresh condition and is for
all intents and purposes a new car. It has never been used on the
track, and its current and second owner has ensured the car has
been kept in perfect condition mechanically and aesthetically.
The McLaren P1 GTR represents an ultra-low production version of
the already mind-bending P1. It is a landmark car which would be
the jewel in any collection of modern supercars. This example is
all the more desirable for its fantastic and unique specification,
not to mention its condition. Presented in virtually as-new
condition, this is an incredible opportunity to acquire one of the
most exciting cars built thus far into the 21st century.
Please note the temporary import symbol incorrectly references the
EU. It should reference the UAE.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/ad19.
