McLaren Speedtail (2020)

Speedtail depositors were invited to view a design model of the car at a recent private preview event held in London. Resplendent in Speedtail Silver, a Nano-metallic, 'molten-effect' paint developed by McLaren specifically for this car, the model displays both aniline leather - a leather dyed with soluble dyes to retain the hide's natural surface - and a new lightweight leather. The cockpit provides enticing glimpses of the astonishing level of personalisation opportunities available; with each McLaren Speedtail being tailored to the owner's individual tastes by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the division of McLaren Automotive responsible for bespoke customer commissions, it is virtually certain that no two examples will be identical.

Streamlined simplicity is the key to true elegance

"As an Ultimate Series model, at the pinnacle of the McLaren range, the Speedtail pushes the limits of what is possible technically. Just as the McLaren Senna is the embodiment of extreme aerodynamic technologies and weight saving, so too is the Speedtail - but for this McLaren, the purpose was to achieve a new level of design sophistication and weight reduction in the pursuit of low aerodynamic drag, breath-taking acceleration and extreme velocity." Andy Palmer, Vehicle Line Director, Ultimate Series, McLaren Automotive

The essence of the McLaren Speedtail is modern design and craftsmanship in the truest sense, the breathtakingly sophisticated shape having been brought to life using the very latest digital development technologies. By radically rethinking every aspect of the exterior design and drastically reducing weight, aerodynamic drag efficiency was maximised, acceleration improved and top speed increased.

Elegance has been created through reduction: every body panel is carbon fibre and has been sculpted to reduce drag; retractable digital rear-view cameras replace traditional door mirrors to further aid aerodynamic performance; carbon fibre front-wheel static aero covers reduce air turbulence around the wheelarches; and the seamless silhouette is enhanced by a reduction in the number of shutlines - including a one-piece rear clamshell - which disrupt neither the visual continuity of the body or the flow of air over it. The patented active rear ailerons ensure the continuity of the design remains uncompromised, with drag kept to a minimum.

Every element and every aspect of the McLaren Speedtail has been considered in the mission to reduce drag and maximise top speed. The McLaren Speedtail is narrower than a McLaren P1™, but more than half a metre longer, measuring 5,137mm (almost 17 feet) from nose to tail. The purity of form is remarkable: viewed from above, the McLaren Speedtail is essentially a teardrop - the fastest shape in nature - and this sculpted form creates the smoothest initial contact with the air at the front splitter, while the dramatically elongated tail bleeds off the flow to reduce turbulence. And not only is the overall shape a teardrop, but so too is the cockpit glasshouse set within the body, once again benefitting aerodynamic drag efficiency

The vertical ducts beneath the full LED headlights, for instance, are particularly slender, their form meticulously tapered to minimise drag while still feeding sufficient cooling air into the LTRs (Low-Temperature Radiators). Airflow that doesn't enter the LTR ducts is directed over the bonnet of the McLaren Speedtail and enters two discreet upper front clam intakes. From here, it is ducted through the body and around the wheelarch before exiting out of the lower door vents. This engineering detail reduces the volume of air traveling around the side of the vehicle, which is prone to separation from the body and resulting turbulence.

The residual airflow over the nose of the car is directed onto and over the windscreen by a cowling at the trailing edge of the bonnet. Engineered to completely encompass both the single-arm wiper and its operating mechanism, the cowling maintains a smooth flow transition across the front of the Speedtail and then over the roof towards the powertrain's 'snorkel' intake. This inlet, which provides the air intake for the internal combustion engine element of the petrol-electric powertrain, is set flush within the roof to reduce drag and cannot be seen when the McLaren Speedtail is viewed in profile.

The required flow of air to the powertrain is maintained with two intakes that slope downwards, starting just behind the glass canopy. The intakes - which are split by the central high-mounted stop light - curve down into the engine cover before disappearing from view; a shorter, more aggressive intake would cause the air to separate from the surface and pass over the intake.

One of the innovations immediately obvious on the McLaren Speedtail is the introduction of lightweight, carbon fibre front-wheel static aero covers. Incorporated into the 20-inch, 10-spoke forged alloy front wheel design to minimise aerodynamic drag, they remain fixed in position as the wheels rotate, the flat surface smoothing airflow around what would otherwise be a turbulent aerodynamic area. Typically, the revolution of a wheel drives air away from the vehicle, but the carbon fibre front-wheel static aero covers keep the air 'attached' to the car and guide it onwards to the door blades on the leading edge of the dihedral doors.

The static wheel covers work in conjunction with multiple ducts and air paths to reduce turbulent air within the wheelarches. As air passes out of the LTRs, for instance, it is vented into the front wheelarches. From there - together with heat energy generated by the lightweight, carbon ceramic braking system - the air is channeled through the ducts in the fixed front wheel aero cover in a consistent flow pattern. Pressure within the wheelarches is also reduced via the lower door vents, which draw the turbulent air created by the rotating front wheels out of the arches and drive it smoothly along the sides of the McLaren Speedtail. The wheels themselves are finished in an elegant gloss black, with diamond-cut finishing. Brake calipers in Speedtail Silver complement the lustrous body colour.

Door mirrors are notably absent, the McLaren Speedtail instead featuring two discreet, high-definition digital cameras that glide out of the doors when the vehicle ignition is activated. Traditional fixed door mirrors create a surprising amount of air turbulence, but with a significantly smaller profile, the cameras on the McLaren Speedtail have only a minimal effect on airflow; furthermore, they provide a much wider field of view of the road behind. The camera feed is displayed on two screens, positioned at either side of the instrument panel in front of the driver. When Velocity mode is selected, the cameras retract into the doors, reducing drag further still.

Utilising the same aerodynamic principles proven on the McLaren P1™, second-generation McLaren Super Series and McLaren Senna, intakes for the HTRs (High-Temperature Radiators) are mounted on the shoulders of the Speedtail, within the double-skinned dihedral doors. The raised front wings, compact cockpit glasshouse and flush glazing serves to keep the airflow attached to the vehicle, and drive it over the front fenders and into the deep channels within the doors to provide cooling for the 1,050PS hybrid powertrain. Such is the efficiency of this solution that the HTR intakes of the McLaren Speedtail are particularly compact, further minimising drag.

The trailing edge of the Speedtail showcases a particular highlight, namely a pair of active rear ailerons. These dynamic elements are hydraulically actuated and an integral part of the rear clamshell, formed in flexible carbon fibre; the body of the McLaren Speedtail can quite literally bend. With a tolerance of only 1mm between the surfaces, this dramatic new technology all but removes any gaps or shutlines between the vehicle and the leading edge of the spoilers, meaning there is no turbulent air, no drag and no loss of speed.

Positioned outboard from the centre of the Speedtail for optimal aerodynamic performance, the twin active ailerons adjust to move the centre of pressure and provide the required level of downforce precisely when it is needed most, for instance under deceleration to provide an airbrake function, while at high speed to increase vehicle stability.

Performing a similar function to that of the lower door vents, the vertical rear blades that are located beyond the trailing edge of the rear fenders draw turbulent air out of the rear wheelarches, away from the 21-inch forged alloy, rear wheels. By reintroducing this 'dirty' air into the external environment as smoothly as possible, the base pressure behind the Speedtail is reduced - and so therefore is drag.

The rear diffuser of the McLaren Speedtail works in conjunction with the rear blades to reduce base pressure and drag, achieving this through the fluent merger of the airflow from the top and the underside of the vehicle. The extended length of the diffuser and flat underfloor combine to diffuse the airflow before - in conjunction with the extended rear bodywork of the Speedtail - introducing it gradually back into the freestream rather than separating it from the rear of the vehicle with a hard, abrupt edge. The result is a further improvement to aerodynamic drag efficiency.

Beautifully tailored luxury, of your own creation

"The McLaren Speedtail is a vehicle unlike any other, not simply because of the astonishing visual drama, extreme speed and aerodynamic excellence that distinguish it, but because it sets unprecedented standards in technical luxury and bespoke customisation. The same boundless innovation and creativity that drives McLaren to push the limits of physical performance have challenged us to craft an exquisite interior defined by pioneering design and the absolute pinnacle of materials quality." Rob Melville, Design Director, McLaren Automotive

A Speedtail driver's seat is positioned - literally - at the centre of the cockpit. This creates an unparalleled sense of space and a perfectly balanced view out of the windscreen. The custom-made carbon fibre seat, inspired by the seat of the iconic McLaren F1, offers the support and comfort appropriate for a 'Hyper-GT' car. Entry into this very special driving position is aided by a newly created directional leather finish that makes it easy to slide into the seat but then subtly holds the occupant in place while they drive. The central seat is flanked by two passenger seats that are integral to the carbon fibre monocoque.

The windscreen curves upwards to become part of the roof, meeting a glazed porthole above the driver's head and the glazed upper section of the dramatic dihedral doors. The incredible sense of space continues rearwards with glass rear-quarterlights that stretch back behind the seats to almost level with the rear axle. An extraordinary amount of light streams into the cockpit - unless the occupants choose otherwise, in which case the porthole, glazed upper section of the doors and rear-quarterlights feature electrochromic technology that allows them to independently turn opaque in an instant. Separately, the top of the windscreen is also electrochromic glass, forgoing the need for sun visors.

Ahead of the driver is a state-of-the-art control system, with high-definition displays and touchscreens that sweep across the dashboard and remove almost every button and switch traditionally found in a car. The controls to start the engine, turn on the Active Dynamics Panel and engage Velocity mode - as well as those to open the windows and doors - are in panels above the driver's head. These controls and the other switches and dials are milled from aluminium, and then hand-brushed and polished.

The beautifully crafted interior fuses contemporary craftsmanship and cutting-edge innovations to push the boundaries of design into a new era. The elegance and material excellence is more akin to high fashion, luxury yachts and bespoke furniture than is normally seen within an automotive environment. The scope for personalisation is extraordinary and every McLaren Speedtail will be unique to its owner.

McLaren's vision for the Speedtail - to create the ultimate in bespoke vehicle design - begins with carbon fibre, a material that McLaren has pioneered for nearly four decades, with every road or race car it has built since 1981 having a strong, stiff and light composite structure at its core. The Speedtail marks a revolutionary advance in the creation and usage of carbon by McLaren, with state-of-the-art technologies combining with traditional Italian textile knowledge to conceive a 'digital loom' process that delivers an even lighter composite material formed from an intricate carbon fibre weave.

Pursuing further innovation, McLaren utilised this digital loom technique to develop a unique carbon fibre and titanium weave, christened Titanium Deposition Carbon Fibre. Traditional methods to change the colour of carbon fibre can compromise the material's structural integrity and visual clarity; for the Speedtail, a micron-thin layer of titanium is fused directly onto the weave and becomes an integral part of the carbon fibre's construction. The titanium deposition process maintains immense strength and low weight and creates a truly remarkable finish of visual carbon fibre with a chrome-effect shimmer.

The front splitter, diffuser and side skirts are all finished in 1K Titanium Deposition Carbon Fibre. This material has just 1000 fibres per thread, making it lighter than the 3K alternative and allowing the adoption of a Jacquard weaving process to create an intricate, bespoke pattern in the Visual Carbon Fibre elements. The titanium can additionally be anodised in any bespoke colour or used to create interwoven images, symbols or even words within the carbon - for example, the rear of the driver's seat features the McLaren logo.

Working in collaboration with expert Swiss watchmaker, Richard Mille, McLaren used pioneering horology techniques to develop a world-first in the automotive sector: Thin-Ply Technology Carbon Fibre (TPT). The material is comprised of countless ultra-thin carbon layers just 30 microns in depth, each positioned at a 45° angle. The surface is then delicately milled to expose a stratified, shimmering construction that resembles flowing water. This fusion of cutting-edge technology and design with precision engineering is truly unique, and can be integrated into areas of the McLaren Speedtail such as the overhead control panel, gearshift paddles and steering wheel clasp. TPT is also used in the McLaren badge on the front of the Speedtail design model, with both this badge and the Speedtail name formed in 18-carat white gold, the letters being individually pressed, clipped and polished.

The entire interior of the McLaren Speedtail has been designed to cosset and embrace the driver and their passengers, with the finest hides enveloping almost every surface. The driver's seat on the Speedtail design model is trimmed in Dark Glacier and Cool White leathers, the former a full aniline material and the latter a new, semi-aniline lightweight leather, developed by the Bridge of Weir Leather Company. The luxurious thickness and supple finish of the leather - the result of using only the finest hides sourced from the best heritage breeds, combined with generations of hand-finished craftsmanship - is unaffected, but by infusing air beneath the surface during the manufacturing process, material density is reduced and the weight cut by 30 per cent. The result is proof that luxury can go hand-in-hand with lightweighting.

The lightweight leather can be treated to render it resilient enough to line the floor of the Speedtail and finished in the colour or colours of the owner's choice; in the design model, Dark Glacier and Black have been selected. The leather then extends in a continuous piece to provide covers for the storage compartments beneath the seats, McLaren's designers drawing on the natural traits of the leather and its inherent rigidity to allow the compartments to open like a piece of luxury luggage.

Specially selected Scandinavian hides are used for the full-aniline leather that trims the dashboard and passenger seats. Unblemished and virtually unchanged from its natural state, this leather is the result of a five-week tanning process using vegetable oils the only addition is the chosen colour - in the case of the passenger seats, Dark Glacier - producing a rare automotive material of truly exceptional quality. The finish of the rich leather is almost impossibly soft to the touch and like the grain of a tree or a human fingerprint, the individual patina of the hide is preserved so that every surface is utterly unique in character.

McLaren Speedtail owners can additionally select unique stitch patterns in whichever colour they wish and bespoke decorative forms can be created within the leather through digital quilting or unique debossed or embossed patterns. Inspired by the finest of furniture and fashion design, the trimmed edges of the leather can even be painted, the colour being hand-mixed, hand-painted and then hand-polished to elevate the leather craftsmanship to the highest possible level and deliver an uncompromised aesthetic.

The limited production of the Speedtail has given McLaren the opportunity to push colour and materials design into unchartered territory and owners will experience an unprecedented journey of vehicle personalisation, leading up to the beginning of 2020 when the first deliveries of this rarest of Ultimate Series McLaren will take place.