• McLaren's Solus GT is here, and only 25 will be made. All photos: McLaren
    McLaren's Solus GT is here, and only 25 will be made. All photos: McLaren
  • The Solus GT made its debut in the virtual gaming world.
    The Solus GT made its debut in the virtual gaming world.
  • The car was unveiled during Monterey Car Week.
    The car was unveiled during Monterey Car Week.
  • The Solus GT is a mere 1,000kg in weight.
    The Solus GT is a mere 1,000kg in weight.
  • Only room for one inside.
    Only room for one inside.
  • The virtual vehicle the Solus GT took its design inspiration from.
    The virtual vehicle the Solus GT took its design inspiration from.
  • No blinding headlights there.
    No blinding headlights there.
  • All those spoilers will create 1,200kg of downforce, which should make the Solus GT stick to the track pretty efficiently.
    All those spoilers will create 1,200kg of downforce, which should make the Solus GT stick to the track pretty efficiently.
  • Speed bumps might be a problem.
    Speed bumps might be a problem.
  • Out in the desert, though that may not be its most favoured habitat.
    Out in the desert, though that may not be its most favoured habitat.
  • The Solus GT has a 5.2-litre V10 engine.
    The Solus GT has a 5.2-litre V10 engine.

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Motoring

McLaren's $3.6m Solus GT is inspired by fantasy vehicle designed for 'Gran Turismo Sport'

The manufacturer’s latest creation can reach 100 kilometres an hour in about 2.5 seconds

Simon Wilgress-Pipe
Simon Wilgress-Pipe

August 25, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

McLaren has revealed the Solus GT, a track-day hypercar that's a little different from most of its breed, since it took its inspiration from a fantasy vehicle the brand designed for a video game.

The Ultimate Vision GT was one of the typically extreme creations featured in PS4’s Gran Turismo Sport drive fest, and the pictures of this virtual ride and what the manufacturer has actually created do indeed show a distinct similarity.

McLaren describes the Solus as “an extreme expression of track driving engagement”, promising an exhilarating experience for anyone lucky enough to go for a blast in one.

The new arrival is a single-seat affair, weighing in at only 1,000 kilograms (the McLaren GT, to give a comparison, is 50 per cent heavier), and it will be powered by a screaming 5.2-litre V10 engine.

That drivetrain will generate 830 brake horsepower, enough to ensure the Solus can reach 100 kilometres an hour in about 2.5 seconds.

The driver has to get in and out of the vehicle by sliding the windscreen and canopy forward. That all seems a little Top Gun, but it’s in keeping with the extreme aesthetic of the vehicle.

Virtual driving larks with McLaren's Ultimate Vision GT, as featured in Gran Turismo Sport.
Virtual driving larks with McLaren's Ultimate Vision GT, as featured in Gran Turismo Sport.

The spoiler set-up on the Solus will also apparently generate 1,200kg of downforce, which would indicate you could drive the car at top speed upside down, on the ceiling, since, as we noted above, that is more than the car actually weighs.

And the price for a Solus?

Well, don’t get your hopes up if it appeals. Only 25 will be made, and each one will be sold for about $3.6 million. And all of those have already been reserved.

Looks like it’s back to the virtual version for us then.

McLaren celebrates new UAE outlet with breakneck track trial — in pictures

  • A trio of McLaren's offerings at Dubai Autodrome. All photos: McLaren
    A trio of McLaren's offerings at Dubai Autodrome. All photos: McLaren
  • Dubai Autodrome's professional driving team check the vehicles.
    Dubai Autodrome's professional driving team check the vehicles.
  • Entering the pit lane.
    Entering the pit lane.
  • A McLaren GT and 720S leave the pit lane.
    A McLaren GT and 720S leave the pit lane.
  • A GT at dusk, before the Dubai skyline.
    A GT at dusk, before the Dubai skyline.
  • A McLaren GT tears up the Dubai Autodrome straight.
    A McLaren GT tears up the Dubai Autodrome straight.
  • The McLaren Elva on show at Dubai Autodrome.
    The McLaren Elva on show at Dubai Autodrome.
  • Ready to roar.
    Ready to roar.
  • Photographers find it hard to focus when a 720S is at top speed.
    Photographers find it hard to focus when a 720S is at top speed.
  • A McLaren GT prepares to roll.
    A McLaren GT prepares to roll.
  • The four-exhaust configuration on the 765LT.
    The four-exhaust configuration on the 765LT.
  • Helmets required.
    Helmets required.
  • McLaren's pop-up facility in Dubai.
    McLaren's pop-up facility in Dubai.
  • A 720S and GT are left to cool off after a few laps.
    A 720S and GT are left to cool off after a few laps.
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Updated: August 25, 2022, 6:38 AM
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