Last week, McLaren announced some exciting news - it is building only 106 examples of the incredible, $2.1 million Speedtail, which takes exclusivity to the next level.
The Albert is a one-off unveiled by McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the division focused on ensuring the automotive fantasies of the mega-rich become a reality. It was commissioned by McLaren Beverly Hills.
Parris Mullins of McLaren Beverly Hills told Autocar that 'as one of the very last Speedtails to be built at the McLaren Production Center, it is very important to us at McLaren Beverly Hills that Albert honors the brand's rich heritage, particularly paying tribute to the icon that is the McLaren F1.'
However, in terms of performance and design, the Albert could face some stiff competition from the 2021 Bugatti Chiron that was reported on last year. As the follow-up to the legendary Veyron, the Chiron takes its brand's heritage and its predecessor's performance and blends them together into one competent and incredible machine. Like with many Bugatti models, its price range is $3 million.
Based on what we know so far, which model seems better? Let's find out.
What We Know About The McLaren Speedtail Albert So Far
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Considering news about the Albert only became available this week, there is still more information to come. However, from what we know so far, the car was named in reference to the name of the 1992 McLaren F1 test, themselves named after Albert Drive in Woking, where Gordon Murray's stunning supercar was designed and manufactured.
The original MVY02 Speedtail prototype was also named Albert as a tribute to its predecessor. It was manufactured to test the Speedtail's main driving position and ergonomics, visibility, and rear-view camera positions. It was originally built with the front panels from a 720S and was the first Speedtail to be tested on public roads.
The Albert made a public debut at Los Angeles' Sunset GT, a luxury-oriented Cars and Coffee event, on Sunday 8 August.
The production-spec Albert mimics the prototype's camoflage livery, with a complicated paint job featuring a gradient flow of grey lines representing the airflow over the model. The vehicle is painted in a Magnesium Silver, which is the same color of the first F1 road car unveiled at the 1992 Monaco Grand Prix, and Ueno Grey, which adorned the F1 GTR that triumphed at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans. Apparently, the MSO spent 12 weeks finishing the paint job.
Though there is no news on the size of the Albert's engine, Car and Driver reports that its engine output will be 1,035 hp. Nonetheless, Robb Report puts it as high as 1,070 hp. Either way, like with many McLaren cars, it promises to be a fast vehicle.
Thanks to its setup, the three-seater can launch from zero to 186 mph in just 12.8 seconds and has a top speed of 250 mph. Impressive.
As its codename was 'MVY02-BP23 Hybrid Prototype', this indicates that it is going to have a hybrid engine.
Does The McLaren Speedtail Albert Seem Better Than The Bugatti Chiron So Far?
In hindsight, Car and Driver were wrong to suggest that the Chiron is a bargain when it comes to supercars. When they reviewed the Chiron, they priced it at $2,990,000, which definitely makes McLaren's new car cheaper in comparison, but some may argue that drivers get more for their money with the Chiron.
Powered by a gigantic 16-cylinder engine that is a marvel of modern engineering, the Chiron can zoom to 300 mph and beyond, whilst the Albert goes up to 250 mph. They are both speedy cars, yet it seems like this Bugatti model is the faster one. On top of that, it has an engine output of 1,578 hp, which trashes the Albert's output figure.
Although the Chiron does not offer Apple CarPlay, that is beside the point. The interior consists of fine materials that make its price tag totally worth it. Details about the Albert's interior are scant for now, but McLaren will have to ensure that it is on the same level if they hope to beat Bugatti.
Both cars have slick exterior designs, with the Albert having a more futuristic look to it.
For those who want a sports car that is slightly cheaper but promises many thrills, the Albert is the better option. Be warned - there are a limited number of units out there. The Chiron is superior to the Albert in terms of engine output. Whichever one readers choose, they won't be disappointed either way. Both Bugatti and McLaren have exceeded themselves when it comes to providing their customers with stunning models.