First images of the McLaren Artura GT4 ahead of FOS debut | GRR

Appearances tell of exactly what to expect from a GT4 car. Aero, camber, slicks and a mean livery. But what lays beneath is a little more interesting than your average race-converted road car. See, for the GT4, the Artura has had its hybrid gubbins removed – we’re not there yet in GT4 or GT3.

That also means the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is gone, in favour of a seven-speeder with a reverse gear, as the road-going Artura uses its e-motor for reversing. The new twin-turbo V6 engine has new engine control courtesy of Bosch, for fine BOP adjustments, while the car should benefit from its reduced weight compared with the old V8. The V6 is actually more powerful on its own than the old V8, producing 585PS (430kW) in the road car, so the GT4 car certainly won’t be going without.

In terms of aero, up front, a bespoke splitter yields a particular improvement in front downforce compared to the 570S GT4 and is complimented by dive planes and bonnet ducts. At the rear, a new wing comes with seven angle settings for about as much customisation as you might need for any circuit.

In terms of chassis as with the road car, there have been a number of improvements when compared with the 570S. Wider wheels mean more grip and less degradation, while at the back a new-to-McLaren limited-slip-diff provides better control of grip. It eliminates the brake wear of the 570’s electronic diff effect by braking system. The new MCLA architecture of the Artura is pretty much improved in every respect compared with the Monocell of the 570S.

Rob Bell, winner of last year’s timed shootout in the McLaren 720S GT3X, will be exercising the Artura GT4 on the Hill, so you can expect it to get a proper run this weekend. We look forward to seeing and hearing it do its thing.