McLaren’s Ultimate Series car to be an open-top speedster

McLaren has officially revealed plans of its next Ultimate Series model, due to take the form of an open-top speedster. Joining the P1, Senna and Speedtail right at the top of McLaren’s model line-up, this new speedster model will be limited to 399 units and priced, McLaren says, between £750,000 and £2.1m (Rs 6.48 crore to Rs 18 crore).

Focus on immersive experience

Like the Senna and Speedtail, which have very specific mantras of focused on-track handling and immense top speed, respectively, this as-yet-unnamed speedster model will focus on offering drivers an immersive experience on the road, exemplified by the sleek body which leaves the driver out in the elements.

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Sleek aerodynamic design

Alongside the announcement, McLaren has also revealed a dark rendering of the new model, which does actually reveal a large amount of information. To start, the speedster will do without a windscreen, rather relying on a tiny transparent flick at the base of the scuttle to try to divert air above the driver’s head.

The carbonfibre bodywork will be bespoke to the speedster too, with an expressive and dramatic body; more aggressive than a 720S or Speedtail, but without the rigid motorsport-inspired aero additions of the Senna.

Borrowing Senna’s powertrain

McLaren’s MonoCell carbon tub will form the speedster’s underlying chassis, while the powertrain will be borrowed from the Senna, which produces 789bhp from its purely internal combustion 4-litre twin-turbo V8. The transmission will also be the same dual-clutch unit.

The new speedster has been shown to prospective buyers at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours, but won’t reach the market until late 2020, once both Senna GT R and Speedtail production has been completed.