McLaren Speedtail: What we know so far

• Announced November 2016 as project BP23 (Bespoke Project 2, 3-seats)

   

• One hundred and six – the same number as were made of its iconic three-seat predecessor

   

• All cars reserved before it was seen, at £1.6m each plus (in the UK) £320,000 in VAT…

• Three times as many enquiries for the car as there are build slots

   

• Owners get to see the cars over the next months

   

• Public unveiling promised before the end of 2018

   

• McLaren promises “flowing, highly streamlined design” and “great elegance”

• Powered dihedral doors – a McLaren first – extend into the roof to aid entry and exit, said by McLaren to be much easier than the F1; we still don’t know how the lone driver is going to pay motorway tolls…

   

• Likely to get digital cameras and dashboard screens for rear view, following on from lead about to be set by Audi e-tron

   

• The most powerful McLaren road car yet with possible 1000bhp from hybridised V8, and likely long electric-only range for driving in cities

   

• Lots of new materials, bespoke switchgear and opportunities for personalisation by MSO

• No GTR track version yet confirmed

   

• Carbon-fibre coupe body and latest carbon tub

   

• Coupe only, no Spyder version

   

• Room for luggage - they say

Six more things with Speed in their name…

1. Festival of Speed – you know where!
2. Speedbird – British Airways’ callsign
3. Bentley Speed Six – and lots more go-faster Bentleys, and concepts, including Mulsanne Speed and Continental GT Speed
4. Speedo - Aussie budgie smugglers
5. Need for Speed – dreadful 2015 car movie
6. Wall Speed Hot Machine – Chinese laminating device (blame Google)