Solus GT®

Shaped by proven aerodynamic principles from the start, this is a sports-prototype racing package in every facet and detail. Pure technical sculpture, the carbon fibre body is shrink-wrapped over extreme high-performance engineering elements.

There’s a trademark McLaren ‘hammerhead’ nose and teardrop cockpit with wrap-around canopy screen providing a 180-degree view of the track. There are dramatic wheel pods that help reduce weight and manipulate airflow to minimise turbulence behind each tyre. At the rear you find a full clamshell that allows easy access to the engine bay. Its super-low trailing edges minimise base pressure and cut drag. These are techniques pioneered on the Speedtail hyper-GT.

A twin-element fixed rear wing is one of many visually stunning features on Solus GT. It’s formal beauty is equally functional. Maximising downforce over the rear, working in close harmony with high-downforce ground effect and low pitch sensitivity from the motorsport-derived suspension. This show-stopping feature removes the need for active front and rear wings and helps to reduce weight. Together these innovative and extreme aerodynamic measures create downforce that exceeds the weight of the car and minimises drag. Straight-line performance and cornering prowess are taken to the next level.

The unique drama of driving Solus GT begins before the 5.2 Litre V10 engine is started. Entering the cockpit is a vivid experience in itself. A sliding canopy is opened using a finely engineered mechanical lever, and the whole design glides forward in a shallow arc to reveal the single seat cockpit. It’s more fighter jet than car. With cutting-edge safety innovations straight from motorsport, the canopy is reinforced by a halo-like structure. Driver safety is paramount.

Naturally, every last detail of the interior is focused on the driving experience. Taking you as close to the feel of Formula 1 as its possible to go. Built for extreme track performance, it’s a completely bespoke environment. The moulded seat is fitted with a 6-point harness and shaped using a process taken straight from the top level of motorsport. A phenolic resin-based system with micro-bead technology is used to shape a mould, from which each unique seat is then created. It’s the ultimate way to ensure complete comfort, even during the most intense track sessions.

The seat itself is fixed securely in place. The pedal box, however, is fully adjustable – just as in a purpose built racing car. The difference with Solus GT is that you can adjust the pedals easily while seated in the car.

Straight ahead is the carbon fibre steering wheel, which houses most of the primary controls and a TFT display. Everything you need in the heat of the moment is there at a glance or at your fingertips. A comprehensive heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is fitted to provide true comfort, lap after lap. Above the driver’s head are the ignition switches and a plumbed-in fire extinguisher. Here you’ll also see the rear view display that streams images in real time from a camera mounted on the roll hoop. This provides a clear, wide- angle view to allow traffic to pass on slow-down laps or while manoeuvring in the pit-lane.

Although carbon fibre is the dominant material in the creation of Solus GT – straight from the top-tier of motorsport – the halo cockpit protection system and roll hoop are 3D printed titanium. This advanced technique allows for precision tailored design, but also reduces weight.

Solus GT was born in the virtual world. Where everyday constraints and compromises count for nothing. It’s the first ever car to make the leap from screen to track and in doing so loses nothing of the original concept. The unswerving pursuit of lightness has created a McLaren that weighs less than 1000kg. Why should fantasy be weighed down by reality?