Luxury Lifestyle

McLaren Hyper-GT prototype reaches 250 mph more than 30 times during testing

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Dec 27, 2019, 9:47 am

The McLaren Hyper-GT prototype has reached impressive speed during testing.

Photo courtesy of McLaren Automotive Limited

McLaren's chief test driver, Kenny Brack, has taken the McLaren Hyper-GT prototype up to 250 mph at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The Speedtail prototype has undergone its final high-speed testing as part of its development and validation process. The car, nicknamed "XP2" reached that 250 mph maximum speed over 30 times on the space shuttle landing runway at the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds. Other test facilities where the feat was achieved include Idiada in Spain and Papenburg in Germany.

McLaren Hyper-GT prototype McLaren tested the vehicle on NASA's space shuttle landing strip in Florida.Photo courtesy of McLaren Automotive Limited

"It's fitting that the Speedtail's high-speed test program concluded with multiple maximum-speed runs at a location so strongly associated with pushing the boundaries of extreme performance and engineering excellence," said Mike Flewitt, CEO, McLaren Automotive. "The Speedtail is a truly extraordinary car that epitomizes McLaren's pioneering spirit and perfectly illustrates our determination to continue to set new benchmarks for supercar and hypercar performance."

XP2 is 17-feet long and made of carbon fiber, It's a three-seater and has the lowest aerodynamic drag coefficient of any vehicle McLaren has ever produced. The lower the drag coefficient, the better the vehicle is able to slip through the air, allowing it to be more efficient with its power usage.

McLaren Hyper-GT prototype The nose of the model is familiar to McLaren brand enthusiasts.Photo courtesy of McLaren Automotive Limited

The model is powered by a gas-electric hybrid powertrain that delivers more horsepower and torque than any McLaren road-worthy vehicle to date. It can get from zero to 186 mph in less than 13 seconds thanks to its 1,055 horsepower and 848 pound-feet of torque.

The car's battery pack has a density of 5.2 kW/kg making it the best power-to-weight ratio of any automotive high voltage battery system. Like a traditional hybrid powertrain, the batteries recharge as the vehicle is driven. However, the battery can also be trickle charged via a wireless charging pad. This pad is standard equipment with the production model and allows the car to stay charged even when it's not in use.

McLaren Hyper-GT prototype The model is 17 feet in length.Photo courtesy of McLaren Automotive Limited

The first customer-ready models of the 106 McLaren Speedtails that will be hand-assembled at the McLaren Production Centre in Woking, England. They will be assembled to order and deliveries will be scheduled starting in February 2020.

All of the Speedtails have already been sold. The asking price? Right around $2.1 million each.

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Automotive toys

McLaren and LEGO team up on two new models

The automaker released two LEGO models for the holiday season.

McLaren

McLaren cars are among the quickest and most sought after vehicles on the planet, but not everyone can swallow their six-figure price tags. There's good news, though. Those of us who aren't able to get in the driver's seat can pick up the new LEGO kits and build our own mini-McLarens at home. The automaker partnered with the toy brand to offer two models for the holidays.

McLaren The open-top McLaren Elva in LEGO form.McLaren

McLaren is also offering auto-themed luggage from Tumi and a special line of clothing, but that's not why where here. We're most interested in the LEGO versions of the McLaren Elva and McLaren Senna GTR. However, with hundreds of pieces each, these aren't the simplest of toys. The Senna GTR LEGO replica comes in 830 pieces and features a V8 engine with moving pistons, opening dihedral doors, and a deep blue livery.

The McLaren Elva is *only* 263 pieces and replicates the cleverly designed, super-aerodynamic open-top car. McLaren says that the real car uses aero to shelter its occupants from wind. There is no windshield and no windows on the car, both of which are details that look great in the blocky LEGO format.

McLaren McLaren also worked with Tumi to develop car-themed luggage.McLaren

If you're itching to hand-assemble either McLaren LEGO model at home, the Senna costs $49.99 and the Elva costs $19.99.

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New Car

Jaguar adds a new 444-horsepower F-Type sports car to lineup for 2022

The F-Type P450 cars replace the P300 and P380 as part of the Jaguar lineup.

Photo courtesy of Jaguar

Two new versions of the Jaguar F-Type are on the horizon. New versions of the model have been created to further the car's luxury proposition and both are powered by a roaring V8 engine. The new P450 variants replace the P300 and P380 models currently in the lineup. Jaguar is keeping the F-Type R around.

2022 Jaguar F-Type P450

The 2022 Jaguar F-Type P450 will be available as a coupe or convertible in P450 RWD or P450 R-DYNAMIC AWD grades. All varieties come with a 444-horsepower supercharged V8 under the hood that achieves 428 pound-feet of torque. An electronic active differential is standard. In all configurations, the car gets from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 177 mph.

2022 Jaguar F-Type P450 The car has received minor exterior updates from the 2021 model.Photo courtesy of Jaguar

In a nod to its suburban buyers, the F-Type has a Quiet Star mode that allows a more subtle roar out the back side of the car upon startup. Drivers who don't care about keeping quiet can switch the car in to Dynamic mode and let the rumble out.

Each F-Type P450 rides on 20-inch wheels, has larger brakes than traditional F-Type models, and has the switchable exhaust. Double J-Blade daytime running lights feature up front while new slender rear lights allow the body of the car to speak for itself.

Buyers who get the F-Type P450 R-Dynamic AWD get bespoke badging; a gloss black front splitter, side sills, valance, and venturi; auto-dimming, power- folding, heated door mirrors with memory; and 20-inch Style 6003, split-spoke, gloss Dark Grey with Contrast Diamond Turned Finish Wheels.

2022 Jaguar F-Type P450 The interior sports a refined appearance.Photo courtesy of Jaguar

Monogram stitch patterns on the car's seats and interior accents in Windsor Leather and satin-finish Noble Chrome enhance the interior. Additionally, there are "Jaguar Est.1935" markings on the center console finisher, glovebox release button surround, and seatbelt guides. Six-way electric power seats are standard on F-Type P450 RWD, while F-Type P450 R-Dynamic AWD adds 12-way electric memory front seats, electrically adjustable steering column with memory, Delta Aluminum Center Console, and R-Dynamic branded metal treadplates as standard equipment.

A 12.3-inch driver information display is standard.

F-Type P450 is available in 11 standard exterior colors, and can be ordered in over a dozen custom SVO paint finishes. It starts at $69,900 for the P450 RWD Coupe and $79,900 for the R450 R-Dynamic AWD Coupe.

2022 Jaguar F-Type R

The F-Type R is the pinnacle of the Jaguar lineup with torque on-demand all-wheel drive, Jaguar Intelligent Driveline Dynamics control technology, a double wishbone front and rear suspension, and electric power-assisted steering.

It can get from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph thanks to its 575-horsepower supercharged V8 engine. All-wheel drive is standard.

This model starts at $103,200.

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