McLaren Speedtail - The Fastest McLaren Ever

Following the announcement that the Speedtail – the fastest McLaren ever – had completed high-speed validation tests in the United States and reached its maximum speed of 403km/h (250mph) more than 30 times, McLaren engineers have been asked one question more than any other: ‘How does Speedtail go that fast?’

The answer is that a combination of attributes, including aerodynamic excellence and low vehicle weight, delivers the hybrid Hyper-GT’s astonishing performance. Fundamental to this is a race-bred electric drive system that incorporates pioneering battery technology to set a new benchmark for hybridised efficiency. This unlocks the Speedtail’s intense acceleration from standstill to 300km/h (186mph) in a breath-taking 13 seconds and maximum speed of 403km/h (250mph).

The V8 engine features technology that has evolved from McLaren’s first hybrid hypercar, the legendary McLaren P1™. A new lightweight air-intake system, improved cylinder head cooling and a revised piston design contribute 757PS and 800Nm of ‘traditional’ petrol-powered output to the Speedtail.

The electric motor, which uses Formula E-derived technology, generates more than 230kW. It gives the Speedtail the highest performance installation, including cooling and integration of any electric motor currently in use on a production road car. Power delivery is 8.3kW/kg, which is twice the efficiency of an average sports car.

The design and integration of the battery system enables the Speedtail to achieve its maximum speed by intelligent energy deployment, with these headline figures achievable because the cells are thermally controlled by a dielectric cooling system and permanently immersed in a lightweight, electrically insulative oil which quickly transfers heat away from the cells. This system, the first of its kind in a production road car, is highly efficient and allows the cells to run harder and for longer.