McLaren doesn't build many cars, but it always ensures that it's a classic when it does. Ever since the British marque introduced its first-ever road car in 1990 — the iconic F1— it has established itself as one of the top supercar producers in the world, competing against legendary brands like Ferrari, Aston Martin, Bugatti, and Lamborghini. The newest addition to McLaren's lineup is the awe-inspiring Speedtail.
When McLaren unveiled the Speedtail in 2018, every gearhead was in awe. The car is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful sports cars ever created and comes with some of the most advanced technologies, many of which have been used for years by McLaren motorsports teams. Read on to find out why we think the Speedtail is McLaren's best car yet.
10 It's A Hybrid
When hybrids started popping up in the market in the 2000s, most gearheads hated them and viewed them as cars for annoying nerds who knew nothing about what real cars felt like. Fast-forward to today, and automakers have discovered how to make some incredibly powerful hybrid supercars — the Speedtail is one of them.
The Speedtail is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 paired with a 230 kW electric motor. A total output of 1,035 hp makes the Speedtail one of the most powerful production cars of all time.
9 The Speedtail Is The Fastest McLaren Ever Built
McLaren claims that the Speedtail can accelerate to 60 mph in just under 3 seconds and goes on to reach a top speed of 250 mph. The fastest McLaren before the Speedtail was the fabled F1, which held the production car speed record for much of the '90s.
However, to achieve the 250-mph top speed, the Speedtail must be in what McLaren calls 'Velocity mode.' In this mode, the car is lowered while the rearview cameras are retracted to make it as aerodynamically efficient as possible.
8 The Speedtail Has A Jet-Inspired Interior
Anyone lucky enough to sit in the Speedtail's cockpit will feel like they're sitting inside a fighter jet. For starters, the Speedtail has a peculiar three-seat layout with the driver's seat placed in the middle and two passenger seats slightly behind it. The central driving position is fantastic, but it takes a lot of getting used to.
The other jet-inspired Speedtail feature is that some vital controls — such as the start engine button and drive modes — are placed right above the driver's head.
7 The Speedtail Is Equipped With Electrochromic Glass
One of the simplest yet most important pieces of equipment in a car is a sun visor. No driver wants the sun shining on their face and distracting them, especially when they're driving a multimillion-dollar speed machine.
Unlike other cars, the Speedtail doesn't have a traditional sun visor. Instead, it is fitted with electrochromic glass, which darkens when the driver presses a button. The electrochromic glass is also used in other parts of the Speedtail, including the roof, doors, and rear window glass.
6 The Speedtail Is One Of The Most Aerodynamically-Efficient Cars Ever
When McLaren was developing the Speedtail, one of the top objectives was to make it as aerodynamic as possible so that it could break the F1's speed record. For starters, the low-slung tear-drop design is designed to allow air to flow smoothly over the Speedtail. The lack of conventional mirrors also reduces air turbulence, especially in Velocity mode when the rearview cameras are retracted.
The Speedtail doesn't have a rear wing, but the shape of the deck lid and twin ailerons that adjust can provide adequate downforce when needed. The front wheels also have carbon fiber covers that reduce air turbulence around the wheel arches.
5 It's Extremely Lightweight
The Speedtail was developed to be McLaren's fastest car ever, which means it had to be as light as possible. However, McLaren didn't want to sacrifice creature comforts like air conditioning, high-quality speakers, and storage space, so they decided to save weight in other areas, particularly in the body.
The entire body is made of carbon fiber, and so is the massive rear diffuser and front wheel covers. The result is a weight of just over 3,000 lbs, which is impressive considering the Speedtail has a hybrid drivetrain.
4 It Has Retractable Rearview Cameras
Side mirrors have played a vital role in car safety for more than a century. However, as technology advances, some experts believe that they will be extinct in the coming decades and will be replaced by rearview cameras. The Speedtail is the latest vehicle to ditch traditional side mirrors for cameras.
However, McLaren didn't just ditch the mirrors to please tech-savvy gearheads. It was a calculated move to make the car as aerodynamically efficient as possible. Since they're smaller, rearview cameras create a lower amount of turbulence than traditional mirrors.
3 The Speedtail Is Charged Wirelessly
Unlike the P1, the Speedtail cannot be driven on electric power alone. However, its batteries still need to be recharged, and McLaren has found a clever way to do it. Since the Speedtail is not a plug-in hybrid, the only way to charge up is via the wireless charging pad it comes with — similar to the ones used for smartphones, but bigger.
All the driver needs to do is drive the Speedtail over the charging pad and position it perfectly to start charging. McLaren provides an app that tells the driver exactly where to move to get the car in position.
2 You Need To Be A Multimillionaire To Afford One
McLaren doesn't make cheap cars, as all of its cars typically cost at least six figures. The Speedtail is the most expensive McLaren ever, as it had an MSRP of around $2.4 million.
This sounds like a lot of money, but many gearheads would argue that it's worth every penny. The design, technology, and power in the Speedtail are a class above other hypercars. The Speedtail will also be one of the rarest sports cars, as McLaren announced only 106 examples would be built. Unfortunately, even if you have the money, you can't get one as they've all been sold.
1 The Speedtail Is Not Street-Legal In The US
As mentioned earlier, the Speedtail has a central driving position (which doesn't allow for side-mounted airbags) and uses rearview cameras instead of traditional side mirrors. Due to these reasons, the Speedtail is not street legal in the US.
American gearheads can still buy the Speedtail, though, thanks to the "Show or Display'' law. The law exempts "historically or technologically significant" cars from NTHSA safety standards. However, owners must not drive the Speedtail for more than 2,500 miles in 12 months.