McLaren Automotive has announced the latest addition to its Sports Series of cars, the 570S GT4. Developed as a partnership between McLaren GT and GT racing specialists, CRS GT Limited, the 570S GT4 will now enter an intensive season-long development programme in the 2016 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 of the British GT Championship. McLaren says that the chosen programme will be a chance for the car to undergo a ‘rigorous testing schedule in live race environments’.
The 570S GT4 is built around the same carbon fiber MonoCell II chassis architecture as the other models in the Sports Series; marking the first time the technology has been made available in the GT4 category. Driver protection is further enhanced with the addition of an FIA-approved rollcage and fire extinguisher system.
The cars carbon fiber bodywork has been reprofiled to accomodate the SKF-sourced center-locking wheel assembly, and OZ cast magnesium 9″x18″ front, 11″x18″ rear wheels shod with the new for 2016 Pirelli racing control tire. Penske two-way adjustable dampers with coil-over springs are fitted front and rear, whilst an on-board air jacking system is fitted as standard.
The 570S GT4 features a new aerodynamics package that 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. The GT4 is powered by the same 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 M838TE engine as the road equivalent, and also retains the same seven-speed seamless shift gearbox.
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 GB£159,900 (ex works).
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. 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.
