Mclaren to SHOWCASE the F1 LM PROTOYPE at GENEVA MOTOR SHOW ALONGSIDE MCLAREN P1™
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Media Information EMBARGOED: 14:03.GMT, 1 March 2013 McLAREN TO SHOWCASE THE F1 LM PROTOYPE AT GENEVA MOTOR SHOW ALONGSIDE MCLAREN P1™ Record-breaking prototype of the ultimate road-going McLaren F1 to be displayed outside the UK for the first time Lightweight, unrestricted limited edition was built in honour of the McLaren F1 GTRs that raced, and won, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 As part of the year of celebrations for the 50th anniversary at McLaren, the British sportscar maker will compliment the world debut of the production-intent McLaren P1™ at the Geneva Motor Show, with a nod to the brand’s unrivalled heritage with the addition of the legendary McLaren F1 LM being displayed. This will be the first time that this particular example, owned by McLaren, has been shown outside the UK. The car being presented, codenamed XP1 LM, is the one-off prototype built ahead of the five production examples of the F1 LM – each honouring one of the McLaren F1 GTRs that finished the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 in dominant fashion. This was the debut year for McLaren at the famous French endurance race and, of the seven cars that entered, to have five finish was a significant achievement in itself. However, as with the Formula 1 team, the teams running the McLaren F1 GTRs were not just there to make up the numbers. They were there to compete, and they did so in style, claiming overall victory, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 13th. Still, to this date, the McLaren F1 GTR is the only car to have ever won the 24 Hours of Le Mans on its debut. ‘Not a race replica but following the specification of the Le Mans-winning F1 GTR, the chassis, engine and transmission virtually identical, being modified only enough to make them road usable’ The McLaren F1 LM was a more extreme version of the F1 road car, and even more than the GTR on which it was based. With a version of the race-spec 6.1-litre V12 BMW engine from the F1 GTR, but without any race restrictors, the F1 LM produces more power – 680bhp in total. The styling is heavily derived from the race-winning car, with the front bodywork and rear wing are based on those of the GTR, and full underbody ground effect with a Le Mans-inspired diffuser to optimise downforce. Weight-saving measures are extreme as well, with the F1 LM actually tipping the scales 60kg lighter than the race version. The XP car, along with three of the five production models, is finished in the historic Papaya orange paintwork, in homage to the early Bruce McLaren racing cars. In 1999, XP1 LM joined the standard McLaren F1 road car in the record books, when Andy Wallace set a new 0-100-0mph standard of 11.5 seconds at RAF Alconbury. Acceleration was such that, from a standstill, 60mph was reached in less than 4 seconds, 100mph within 7 seconds, on to a top speed of 225mph. While this is lower than the ‘standard’ McLaren F1 due to the GTR-derived rear wing which increases drag, the improved levels of downforce give considerable advantage to cornering performance. Ends Notes to Editors: A selection of high resolution images accompanying this release is available to download from the McLaren Automotive media site - http://www.media.mclarenautomotive.com. 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 company’s global launch in 2010, McLaren Automotive launched the groundbreaking 12C and 12C Spider and, in keeping with its plan to introduce a new model each year, recently unveiled the McLaren P1™ at the Paris Motor Show. The brand continues to expand, operating through 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. These include Akebono, AkzoNobel, ExxonMobil, Pirelli, SAP and TAG Heuer.. 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 20 years of heritage in producing landmark sports cars, McLaren Automotive designs, develops and builds the technologically advanced, groundbreaking and no compromise 12C and 12C Spider. 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. Visit www.mclarenautomotive.com for more details. Further information Wayne Bruce Head of Communications and Public Relations | McLaren Automotive Limited Phone: +44 (0) 1483 261500 Mobile: +44 (0) 7768 132429 Email: [email protected] Lena Siep Global PR Manager | McLaren Automotive Limited Phone: +44 (0) 1483 262038 Mobile: +44 (0) 7826 91005 Email: [email protected] Dave Eden Press Officer | McLaren Automotive Limited Phone: +44 (0) 1483 262867 Mobile: +44 (0) 7500 857089 Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/DaveEden Media website: www.media.mclarenautomotive.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/mclarenautomotive Twitter: www.twitter.com/McLarenAuto You Tube: www.youtube.com/mclarenautomotivetv Ends.