Lanzante McLaren P1 GT

The world premiere of the McLaren P1 as part of the so called ‘Holy Trinity’, consisting of P1, Porsche 918 Spyder and Ferrari LaFerrari, is now almost six years back. Production stopped in 2015, followed by a limited run of 59 track-only P1 GTR. Some of these 59 vehicles received a road car conversion on customer request at British specialist Lanzante. They were responsible for the successful Le Mans entry of the McLaren F1 GTR in 1995 and afterwards converted some F1 GTRs for the road. After they converted quite a few P1 GTRs as well, they developed a limited run of five customer cars of the P1 LM together with McLaren. Their own prototype lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 6:43 minutes during a trackday and drove home on its own wheels afterwards.

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year they showed the new developed P1 GT with an extended rear end of the bodywork, inspired by the legendary longtail F1 GT and GTR. Already from the outside, the demonstration car affirms this connection, as it shows the same dark green metallic paintwork which already graced the factory prototype of the F1 GT. In addition to this prototype McLaren only built two other roadlegal longtail-cars back in 1997, which now also Lanzante is doing with their new car. Next to three P1 GT they will convert up to ten P1 GTR with longtails.

In addition to the beautiful green livery, of course, especially the new tail design is interesting. Lanzante succeeded in integrating the original LED taillights into beatifully curved rear wheel arches, which were pulled further backwards. Below the large fixed rear wing there is a smooth surface that is not disturbed by air inlets or outlets. Underneath sits the licenseplate and below that, four exhaust pipes find their way out of the car. From the rear axle forward there are only a few changes compared to the normal P1 GTR, on which this prototype is based. For example, the front side flics are deleted but there are new louvres above the front wheels.

At the request of an anonymous, affluent customer from the Middle East, the P1 GT prototype received a comfortable leather interior with sports seats in cream and dark green. Also the open-top motorsport steeringwheel recessed handgrips in green leather. For propulsion the car gets the known hybrid powertrain with a 3.8 liter V8 biturbo and an electric engine, delivering about 986 bhp together. Lanzante asks for 500,000 GBP for the GT-conversion of a P1 GTR – in case it already is road legal. If it has to be converted as well, the price will be higher.

Images: Lanzante