McLaren Dishes On The Speedtail’s powertrain numbers

The McLaren Speedtail is the most technologically advanced vehicle the Woking-based car company has ever built. Having completed more than 30 high-speed tests that hit the 250mph / 400kph mark, we know the 1,036hp hypercar is also the fastest its ever made; no small feat considering the cars in its history. And now, McLaren has revealed a few more details about the Speedtail’s incredible power.

The first look is at the 4.0-liter, twin turbo V8, which uses technology derived from the P1. It makes 757hp and 590lb ft (800Nm) of torque all on its own, with a new lightweight air-intake system, improved cylinder head cooling and a revised piston design.

Yet, impressive as that is, it’s the electric motor that is really a technological marvel. Derived from Formula E technology, it adds 312hp, mounted to the seven-speed gearbox’s input shaft. Power delivery is 8.3kW/kg, giving it twice the efficiency of an average sports car, according to McLaren.

Even the battery system is leading edge. The 1.647kWh pack has the best power-to-weight ratio of any car battery available, with a power density four times that of the unit in the P1 at 5.2kW/kg and an output of 270kW. The battery is permanently immersed in an oil bath and dielectrically cooled for higher efficiency.

The new Speedtail, featuring a center-driver cockpit like that of the legendary F1 and slippery aerodynamics, will have a limited run of just 106 cars built, at £1.75 million (more than $2 million USD) each. And as you’d expect, they’re already sold out.

*Images courtesy of McLaren Automotive