From Gran Turismo to reality: meet McLaren's V10-powered Solus GT
-style sliding canopy, 5.2-litre V10 capable of 10,000rpm and ‘more than 828bhp’Another day, another silly-money hypercar… Except that McLaren’s Solus GT is so much more than just another big-ticket, multi-turbo and ultimately compromised road-going statement piece.
Originally a 2017 vision concept for Gran Turismo Sport, the Solus GT is the first time one of the legendary game series’ concept cars had become a production reality. First customer cars will reach their very fortunate owners in early 2023. Track tests and development work continues in the meantime, with Bruno Senna involved.For a car you can buy , created for mortals, it’s close.
The car is built around one of McLaren’s most radical tubs yet. Though the principles are similar to those used in the chassis of, say, the Artura, the processes here are more involved, with thousands of hours of work in the fastidious layering up of pre-preg carbonfibre. F1 thinking is evident in the layout of the chassis and the practice of using the engine and gearbox as stressed member, too, increasing rigidity with no weight penalty.
‘These owners are on this journey with us, and we can offer them that progression through from cars like the 600LT through Senna and Senna GTR, with increasing performance and downforce,’ explains Palmer. ‘They’ll also drive prototypes so they’re familiar with the car before they drive theirs. We’ve also worked to ensure the car is user-friendly. For instance, drivers often stall an F1 car the first time they drive one [the Solus uses a sequential gearbox and tiny carbonfibre clutch].