McLaren 720S GT3 Evo upgrades a winning endurance racer | GRR
To combat the arrival of the Ferrari 296 GT3, Porsche 992 GT3 R and Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo 2, McLaren has upgraded its GT3 offering. Meet the 720S GT3 Evo, upgraded with improvements to all facets of race-ability in mind.
In spite of the 720 road car bowing out this year, McLaren insists the GT3 is here to stay.
“We’ve maintained a close relationship with our customer racing teams and have incorporated many of their recommendations into the new EVO package, improving consistency of performance and serviceability,” said Ian Morgan, Director of Motorsport, McLaren Automotive.
“[This] will ensure that the McLaren 720S will continue to set the pace in GT3 racing for many more years to come.”
McLaren hopes the Evo will aid in the continuance of a highly successful run for the 720S GT3, which among many others, has most recently added ALMS, IMSA and GT World Challenge Europe titles to its trophy cabinet. In fact, the existing GT3 started out 2023 with a podium at the Daytona 24 hours, a full four years on from its debut.
No pressure when it comes to the improvements, then. Visually the revisions for the Evo are most notable on the nose, with a new front bumper, splitter and bonnet gurney, that improve the overall aero performance of the car. While overall downforce is increased, McLaren also claims the balance of the car is shifted forward, also allowing better consistency when racing in traffic. The auxiliary lamps have been repositioned too for better visibility at night.
Complementing the aero upgrades at the front are a few revisions at the rear, including an easier-to-adjust wing and a more prominent Gurney for increased rear downforce. Underneath, new Ohlins adjustable dampers, adjustable upper wishbones, uprights and more, make for a more adjustable, durable, easier-to-service race car than the previous 720 GT3.
The good news for existing GT3 owners is that alongside brand-new cars, the Evo spec can be bought as an upgrade package, to ensure existing cars have the opportunity to stay competitive.