McLaren released the all new 720S not that long ago and so far the car managed to impress everyone who drove it. The car features a brand new platform as well as a few other new technologies which the manufacturer is planning to use in their future vehicles. With the new model it also looks like they will release a new race-car. This will be the future 2019 McLaren 720S GT3 and unlike its predecessor, this time around McLaren will do the development in-house. This should allow the manufacturer to give their customers a ready to race vehicle without any other compromises. Even though the details aren’t out just yet, it looks like they will release the car next summer. Until then, McLaren is more than likely going to extensively test the car in order to come up with a reliable race-car.
In detail
Even though there will be quite a few changes, the car will remain basically the same as the road-car. The GT3 will continue to use the same upgraded carbon fiber tub which is known to have better structural rigidity than its predecessor while also being lighter. However, this is where most of the similarities will end. Unlike the road-going version, the GT3 is more than likely not going to use the really complex hydraulics for the sway bars.
source:topspeed.com 2019 McLaren 720S GT3
On top of that, it will likely feature a fixed racing suspension which will allow the teams to tweak it to their own liking. The brakes should also change slightly. This time around the car should feature carbon ceramics as standard, both in the front and at the back. These should boast better calipers and larger rotors. The wheels will also change. Instead of the usual ones, the 2019 McLaren 720S GT3 will feature center-locking wheels which will likely be made out of carbon fiber.
Release and price
As we previously said, McLaren is going to release the car in the summer of 2018. However, the teams are likely going to receive it closer to the start of 2019, especially since there is quite a bit of testing to be done. The price is still unknown. However, considering this is a race-car, McLaren will likely offer the car as well as crate engines for higher prices than those of the regular production vehicle.
2019 McLaren 720S GT3 Specs
Just like with the road-car, the 2019 McLaren 720S GT3 will feature a 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine. This will drive the rear wheels via a sequential 6 or 7 speed gearbox. The end result should be quite impressive. However, as the car will have to comply with strict regulations, it is not going to offer the same output as the production vehicle. Most rumors seem to suggest right around 600 horsepower and 500 to 550 lb-ft of torque. This may change with the GT3 regulations but nothing has been confirmed up to this point.
| 2019 McLaren 720S GT3 | |
| Engine And Transmission | |
| Engine type | V8 |
| Displacement | 4.0 liter |
| Power/torque | 600 hp/500 to 550 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 6 or 7 speed gearbox |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 mph | N/A |
| Top speed | N/A |
| PRICE RANGE:$480,000 |
|
| Competitors:Mercedes-AMG GT3, Audi R8 LMS, Bentley Continental GT3 | |
The design
While the engine will not be as powerful as that of the road-going car, the rest of the car is going to be quite a bit more impressive. On the exterior there will be an all new aerodynamic kit which is going to allow the 2019 McLaren 720S GT3 to boast much higher cornering speeds than the regular model.
source:topspeed.com 2019 McLaren 720S GT3 Design
In the front the car will feature a massive carbon fiber splitter, there will be a new diffuser in the back while a fixed rear wing should be in place. The latter is more than likely going to feature some form of DRS but so far this is still unclear. The new body kit will reduce its maximum top speed over the road-going version but it will give the car far higher cornering speeds which in the end will make it faster.
The interior
As this will be a race-car, the interior of the GT3 will definitely be stripped down. The dashboard is more than likely going to be a blank carbon fiber piece on which McLaren will install the needed switches for the car’s systems.
source:topspeed.com 2019 McLaren 720S GT3 Interior
Most of the controls will be on the steering wheel, including the car’s instrument cluster. A cage is likely not going to be needed as the 720S’s carbon fiber tub has to be one of the most rigid structures ever to be used in a car.
