Track-dedicated 570S GT4 and 570S Sprint models to be added to the McLaren Sports Series.

• Track-dedicated 570S GT4 and 570S Sprint models to be added to the McLaren Sports Series
• 570S GT4 to enter a season-long competitive development programme in British championship with Black Bull Ecurie Ecosse
• Ansar Ali joins McLaren Automotive as Motorsport Director

McLaren Automotive has announced two new track-dedicated models of the recently-launched Sports Series: the 570S GT4 and the 570S Sprint. Developed in conjunction with McLaren GT – the motorsport division of McLaren Automotive – and GT racing specialists, CRS GT Limited, the 570S GT4 will now enter an intensive season-long development programme in the British GT championship.

McLaren GT and CRS GT Limited will work with recently confirmed customer team Black Bull Ecurie Ecosse, with the 570S GT4 competing in the full nine round calendar, including the famous Spa-Francorchamps. 

The programme will be a rigorous testing schedule in live race environments. The 570S Sprint, which will be revealed in the coming weeks, will be dedicated for private trackdays and is therefore unrestricted by racing regulations. However, 570S Sprint owners will be able to upgrade to GT4 specification.

McLaren Automotive has also confirmed the appointment of Ansar Ali to the role of Motorsport Director. The newly-created role highlights a new focus on motorsport by McLaren Automotive where Ali will be responsible for on-going strategy and management of motorsport activities.

Commenting on the latest additions to the Sports Series, Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive explained: ‘As with road-going models wearing a McLaren badge, the 570S GT4 and 570S Sprint models are about being an engaging and exciting drive. The launch of the Sports Series has broadened McLaren to a new audience, introducing technologies to the sports car market and to a new group of customers. The 570S GT4 is doing the same in the motorsport world, and will bring the opportunity to own and race a McLaren – previously limited to a very small number of people – to a much wider group.

He added: ’I am extremely pleased to welcome Ansar to McLaren Automotive in such a key role. Motorsport is part of the lifeblood of McLaren, and this role will be key to our long-term plans.’

Ansar Ali, Motorsport Director, McLaren Automotive added: ‘I am extremely proud and honoured to be joining McLaren Automotive at such a pivotal time. Activities on track have played such a significant part in the history of making McLaren globally recognised. The opportunity to play a major part in shaping its future motorsport strategy is extremely exciting, and the 570S GT4 and 570S Sprint models are an important initial step.’

Commenting on the programme, Andrew Kirkaldy, Managing Director, CRS GT Limited added: ‘The 570S GT4 marks a key development of McLaren as a player in the motorsport world, opening the opportunity to race to a much broader skill level of driver. The 650S GT3, which raced very successfully for the first time last year, is focused on drivability and made its performance envelope easier to access and exploit. Its race results speak for themselves. The 570S GT4 model will take this to the next level providing drivers with the confidence and feedback to push and exploit the boundaries of what the car can do.’

THE McLAREN 570S GT4

The track-only 570S GT4 shares the carbon fibre MonoCell II chassis architecture with the other models in the Sports Series. This marks the first time the technology has been made available in the GT4 category, and the race-derived material is of clear benefit with inherent strength and light weight. Driver protection is further enhanced with the addition of an FIA-approved rollcage and fire extinguisher system. Carbon fibre and aluminium are used for the reprofiled bodywork, which is formed over wider track both front and rear to accommodate centre-locking lightweight cast magnesium alloy wheels shod with slick Pirelli racing tyres. Two-way adjustable motorsport dampers with coil-over springs are fitted front and rear, and an on-board air jacking system is fitted as standard.

With a pure focus on laptimes, the 570S GT4 features a unique aerodynamic package which includes a GT4-specification high level rear wing, mounted on aluminium pylons, a larger front splitter and reprofiled floor assembly. An additional front centre high temperature radiator sits below a GT3-inspired bonnet with radiator exit ducts. These upgrades have been designed to optimise the aerodynamic performance and cooling of the 570S GT4 to ensure it is able to perform in the harshest race conditions globally.

The McLaren designed and developed 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 M838TE engine is carried over from the road-going Sports Series model. The seven-speed seamless shift gearbox is also familiar to the other models in the range, transferring power to the track via the rear wheels.

Black Bull Ecurie Ecosse will run one example of the 570S GT4 alongside the confirmed entry of the 650S GT3 with Factory Driver Rob Bell alongside Alaisdair McCaig. Driver details for the season will be announced shortly.

The 570S GT4 will make its public development debut at the opening round of the British GT Championship at Brands Hatch, UK over the weekend 16-17 April. Going forward, it will be eligible for all GT4 homologated championships globally from the 2017 season, and is priced from £159,900 (ex works).

Further details for the 570S Sprint, including pricing, will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

McLAREN 570S GT4 TECHNICAL STATISTICS

ENGINE & POWERTRAIN
Engine capacity / type	3.8-litre (3,799cc) / twin turbo V8 M838TE
Transmission	7 Speed SSG
CHASSIS & BODY
Chassis	McLaren carbon fibre Monocell II chassis; aluminium front & rear frames and crash structures
Body	Aluminium and carbon fibre panels
Aerodynamics	Unique front splitter and floor assembly; GT4-specification adjustable rear wing
Cooling	Additional front centre high temp radiator
Suspension	Penske two-way adjustable motorsport dampers with coil-over springs, front & rear
Axle	SKF centre lock integrated hub / wheel bearing unit, handed side to side, front & rear
Wheels	OZ cast magnesium 9"x18" front / 11"x18" rear
Tyres	Pirelli racing slicks - 245/645-18" front / 305/680-18" rear
DIMENSIONS
Length	4,606mm
Width	2,095mm
Height	1,179mm
Wheelbase	2,674mm
Track, f/r	1,644mm / 1,593mm
Fuel capacity	110 litres

Ends

Notes to Editors:

A selection of high resolution images accompanying this release is available to download from the McLaren Automotive media site – cars.mclaren.press.

About McLaren Automotive:

McLaren Automotive is a British manufacturer of luxury, high-performance sports cars, located at the McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking, Surrey.

Following the global launch of McLaren Automotive in 2010, the groundbreaking 12C was launched in 2011, the 12C Spider in 2012, and the limited-run McLaren P1™ went into production in 2013. In keeping with its plan to introduce a new model each year, the company unveiled the 650S, in coupe and Spider form in 2014, and has announced the Sports Series among the models to be introduced in 2015. The brand continues to expand, and McLaren posted a profit during 2013 – only the third year of vehicle production. This was followed in 2014, by a third consecutive year of growth in sales with a record 1,649 vehicles delivered via a dedicated global network of retailers in every major automotive market.

McLaren Automotive Partners               

To support the development, engineering and manufacture of its range of innovative and highly acclaimed sports cars, McLaren Automotive has partnered with world leading companies to provide specialist expertise and technology including, AkzoNobel, ExxonMobil, Pirelli and SAP.

Designed for the track; Developed for the road

The connection between Formula 1 and road cars at McLaren is a natural process of experience, knowledge, principles and process transfer. Through the integration of 50 years of Formula 1™ racing expertise and knowledge, and over 20 years of heritage in producing landmark sports cars, McLaren Automotive designs, develops and builds a range of technologically advanced and groundbreaking high performance sports cars which are designed to be a no compromise drive on both road and track.

McLaren has pioneered the use of carbon fibre in vehicle production over the past 30 years, and since introducing a carbon chassis into racing and road cars with the 1981 McLaren MP4/1 and 1993 McLaren F1 respectively, McLaren has not built a car without a carbon fibre chassis.