McLaren P1 LM - A P1 GTR For The Road
Arguably the most hardcore hypercar around. It deserves to be worshipped!
History seems to have this magical way of influencing the life of present day cars. “What goes around, comes around” is the saying - one thats uncanny impact thankfully touches the automotive world. Just when we’re all despairing at the cursed hand of innovation that’s forever howling around the industry, the past provides the necessary inspiration to allow something wonderful to be born. Porsche's brand new 911R is just one example of a car that emulates the very niche and idea of a classic and projects it into today. And now, we see the arrival of another car that’s been inspired by a legend: the McLaren P1 LM.
When you consider the story of the McLaren P1 - and compare it with that of it’s spiritual predecessor, the McLaren F1 - it’s no real surprise that an LM version has come to fruition. First the road car; then the track only GTR version; and then the road legal version of the GTR - the LM. Something which may surprise you however (if you’re not a nerd, that is) is that the LM isn’t a product of McLaren themselves. The GTR is converted for road use by a company called Lanzante - the same people who put F1 GTR’s on the road 2 decades ago. This really is then history repeating itself in the most epic way possible.
Just like the P1 GTR, the LM carries a 3.8L Twin-Turbo V8, augmented by hybrid technology to create a combined 986BHP. Just like the F1 GTR and F1 Road Car, the P1 LM’s engine bay is lined with pure gold because that’s the best material for coping with heat. The near 1000BHP is enough to get the GTR from 0-60mph in 2.4 seconds - but unfortunately, the LM being a “road car” an all, it’s not allowed to run on the GTR’s slick tyres, so it can just about tug itself to 60mph in 2.8 seconds. Slow, I know (!) What happens after 60mph is unknown - but suffice it to say, if Doctor Who ever loses his Tardis and needs a time machine, one of these would prove adequate! Given the sight of this thing however - with aero glued to every possible orifice - it appears space-aged enough for the starting procedure to involve a Sonic Screwdriver. Speaking of aero…
Lanzante haven’t just stuck number plates on a GTR and put it on the road - they’ve actually made some improvements. One area that’s seen enhancements is the aero kit. A larger front splitter, and a modified rear-wing equate to a 40% increase in downforce over the GTR - a car that had as much aero-grip as the Atlantic has water. Not only that, but they’ve also made the LM lighter than the GTR - which had excess lard like the Sahara has water! Thanks to the aggrandisement of lightweight seats, plastic windows, and titanium fixings, the LM weighs in at just 2,833lbs (1,285kg). That makes it 132lbs (60kg) lighter than the GTR and 242lbs (110kg) lighter than the P1 road car. Put all these things together, and the LM is capable of tearing up the Goodwood Hill Climb in just 47.07s - faster than ANY road legal car has been up there before.
Inside, you’re greeted with a typically hardcore interior - the centrepiece of which is the traditional steering wheel that isn't so much a wheel as a moving panel accoutred with an array of race-y looking buttons. But when you’re sitting within those weaved Carbon Fibre walls, you can still keep yourself cool regardless of whether you’re tootling about, or trying to thread it up a perilously thin hillclimb in record pace, thanks to the fact that the LM has air-conditioning. Of all the things you expect a road going racer to come equipped with, air-con probably lists between scatter cushions, and a hot-tub!
The phrase “it’s a racing car for the road” is one you hear far too often in this business. The majority of the time, the statement is utter bunkum - but for the LM, the cliche holds true. If you define a racing car for the road by experience rather than something which is certified to race – which the P1 LM isn't – then this is a genuine racing car with number plates; by far a way the most hardcore hypercar around! £2,000,000 is what you’ll need in order to buy one of the 5 that are being made. The 1 prototype you see here will remain grey, whilst the other 4 will follow the classic Orange colour-scheme of the old F1 LM. So if there are any billionaires out there willing to buy me one, I’d be awfully grateful!
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Written by: Angelo Uccello
Twitter: @AngeloUccello
Tribe: Speed Machines
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