An exclusive group of 106 people have been told that they are to become owners of a McLaren Speedtail.
The Speedtail name is to be applied to the sports car manufacturer’s new Ultimate Series model, announced in November 2016 and until now only known as the BP23.
Dubbed the successor to the original and iconic McLaren F1 of 1993, each Speedtail will cost £1.6 million plus taxes. Only 106 will be made, and all have already been reserved.
Details of the Speedtail are currently scarce before its reveal, set to happen before the end of 2018 following a private preview for the 106 future owners.
The car has been hinted at in a series of official teaser sketches, while McLaren says that the name signifies the fact that it will have a ‘flowing, highly streamlined design’ and will be capable of a peak speed faster than any previous McLaren road car.
This will require the car to exceed the 243mph set by the McLaren F1 – the Speedtail will do this by means of a petrol-electric powertrain mating a hybrid system to a twin-turbo V8 engine..
In another nod to the F1, the Speedtail will be a three-seater – the driver sitting in the centre with their passengers either side and slightly further back.
Every example will also be bespoke, McLaren’s Special Operations Department tailoring each car to its owner’s requirements.
Development of the Speedtail is underway – industry sources suggest a full prototype does not yet exist. It is expected to begin production in late 2019, becoming McLaren’s third Ultimate Series model after the P1 and recently launched Senna.