McLaren Solus is a single-seat, track weapon akin to that of an F1 car

Two-seat hypercars are possibly the most inflexible vehicles out there but they serve their intended purpose very well. For anything more, there are single-seaters which are even thinner and fewer inbetween but the McLaren Solus looks to offer this hardcore driving experience to 25 fortunate buyers.

McLaren Solus

Image: McLaren

There has been an introduction of certain single-seat track weapons over the past few years. The Czinger 21C comes to mind as one of the most recently introduced but unlike bespoke American hypercar, the McLaren Solus makes use exclusively of an ICE to push it forward, and quite a sizable one at that.

Behind the centre mounted cockpit is a 5,2-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine provided by Judd. While you may be reminiscing over some glorious 10 cylinder sounds right now, the fact that the McLaren Solus can push out 619 kW and 650 N.m doesn’t sound too bad, particularly when considering it only weighs exactly a ton. 

This means that the 10 000 rpm capable motor can propel the bespoke McLaren onto 100 km/h in 2,5 seconds before topping out at 320 km/h. As you can guess, this single seater isn’t intended to break speed records but rather find a harmonious balance between speed and agility. 

McLaren Solus

Image: McLaren

That being said, the McLaren Solus can produce 1 200 kg of downforce courtesy of aerodynamic wheel pods, a front-splitter and ground-effect tunnels beneath the carbon body. The seven speed sequential gearbox manufactured from aluminium and magnesium is also mounted to the rear suspension which aids in structural stability as does the Judd power plant which is a structural element of the chassis. 

Similarly to equally expensive Formula and Indy single-seaters, the 25 buyers of this track-only weapon will receive a custom moulded seat and a raft of other cool goodies from McLaren. The British automaker will afford the buyers of the model a full racing experience that includes driver-development coaching, a FIA-homologated racing suit, helmets and bespoke HANS device – race car remember! 

McLaren Solus

Image: McLaren

Get a glimpse of it on track here. 

While it is still only in its prototype stage, all 25 buyers who have put their money down will get access to prototype drive sessions where they can provide input into the vehicle development. Once done, McLaren will provide special track event access and even more goodies including tools, jacks and stands that go with the car. All of this is included in the cool $3,6 million (R60 million) purchase price of the McLaren Solus.

The post McLaren Solus is a single-seat, track weapon akin to that of an F1 car appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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