McLaren 650S GTE Car to be unveiled at Le Mans?!

WMUCarGuy · 28 May 2015, 20:30 (Ref:3542235)

Motorauthority.com just wrote that McLaren could be unveiling a new GTE car at Le Mans.

I know they planned to have a gaggle of F1 GTRs and the P1 GTR there, but a new 650S-based GTE car is news to me.

"McLaren, which this year is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its outright Le Mans win using the F1 GTR, is rumored to be announcing its own Le Mans return with a race car based on its 650S supercar."

TF110 · 28 May 2015, 20:46 (Ref:3542243)

I hope so. They have a big presence there, so there may be something to it?

WMUCarGuy · 28 May 2015, 20:48 (Ref:3542244)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

I hope so. They have a big presense there, so there may be something to it?

It is the 20th anniversary of their win. That was the initial reason for all of the hoopla, but if there's a GTE car to be unveiled, too, even better!

GT6 · 28 May 2015, 20:49 (Ref:3542245)

It would b e nice and yes we all hope it is true

zere · 28 May 2015, 21:23 (Ref:3542255)

Quote:

Originally Posted by WMUCarGuy

"McLaren, which this year is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its outright Le Mans win using the F1 GTR, is rumored to be announcing its own Le Mans return with a race car based on its 650S supercar."

Could you link us to that article, please? Because I can't find anything concerning this, neither on their website, nor their Twitter feed, nor their Facebook feed.

Bandicoot17 · 28 May 2015, 22:00 (Ref:3542271)

Quote:

Originally Posted by zere

Could you link us to that article, please? Because I can't find anything concerning this, neither on their website, nor their Twitter feed, nor their Facebook feed.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...le-mans-report

Simmi · 28 May 2015, 22:04 (Ref:3542272)

Interesting that they link through to an old story whilst explaining that. Not sure if they have new intel or whether they are using that for the basis?

If it is true it would be interesting launch timing I guess given Ford's higher-profile GTE announcement. It seems like an open secret that will be during Le Mans week.

zere · 28 May 2015, 22:09 (Ref:3542275)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandicoot17

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1...le-mans-report

Thanks!
We've seen Kirkaldy speak openly about trying to get some (customer) GTE cars out there for 2016, and that's what the article appears to be refering to.

Unfortunately, without a new reference, but I'll keep my hopes up!

Coach Ep · 28 May 2015, 22:47 (Ref:3542282)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmi;3542272[B

]Interesting that they link through to an old story whilst explaining that.[/B] Not sure if they have new intel or whether they are using that for the basis?

If it is true it would be interesting launch timing I guess given Ford's higher-profile GTE announcement. It seems like an open secret that will be during Le Mans week.

Wasn't that before the GT harmony talks folded?

Simmi · 28 May 2015, 22:54 (Ref:3542285)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Wasn't that before the GT harmony talks folded?

Convergence talks were publicly dead in the water in May 2014 I think. So a couple of months before that article came out.

Bandicoot17 · 28 May 2015, 23:01 (Ref:3542288)

IIRC the 650S would only require a few changes to become eligible for GTE??

deggis · 29 May 2015, 01:09 (Ref:3542319)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmi

Interesting that they link through to an old story whilst explaining that.

I was thinking the same thing. Clickbait and low credibility.

MitchZ06 · 29 May 2015, 02:43 (Ref:3542338)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandicoot17

IIRC the 650S would only require a few changes to become eligible for GTE??

Just the engine, steering wheel (unless they can convince the ACO and F1 steering handle is a wheel) and a few detail items and it'd be a GTE. I've heard rumors from close to the source this may happen but wait and see.

deggis · 29 May 2015, 03:28 (Ref:3542353)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MitchZ06

steering wheel (unless they can convince the ACO and F1 steering handle is a wheel)

I guess C7R just become illegal then. Seriously, what?

MitchZ06 · 29 May 2015, 03:55 (Ref:3542363)

Looks more like a steering wheel than what McLaren uses (this coming from a McLaren fanboy!). Maybe the rules changed in the past year, I haven't kept up with it lately but I remember they had to add a bar across the top of the C6.R GTE wheel to comply to the regs.

deggis · 29 May 2015, 04:07 (Ref:3542368)

Always wondered why that bar was there. "Must be continuously closed" is still there in the rules, so either Corvette got a waiver or it is one of these great ACO rules they ignore even themselves. Not really sure what is the purpose of that rule seeing more and more GTx cars going into the more hi-tech single seater wheel direction.

This shouldn't be the biggest problem in making the car GTE compliant though.

From regs:

Quote:

Steering wheel

The steering wheel rim must be continuously closed.

A quick release system is mandatory. For the fitting of such
a system, a local modification of the steering column is
allowed.

A display, push buttons and switches are allowed on the
steering wheel. They must be homologated and their
function must be indicated on the Homologation Form.

Ospi · 29 May 2015, 04:16 (Ref:3542370)

Those vette and McLaren wheels comply with that reg so shouldn't be any issue. Look forward to seeing the car, bring them to elms!

MitchZ06 · 29 May 2015, 04:30 (Ref:3542375)

I wouldn't expect it to be an issue as the bigger ones are the engine (they've got a GTE spec donk sitting at McGT) and some of the aero bits. Needless to say, if McLaren wants to sell a GTE 650S they will, just wait and see...

TF110 · 29 May 2015, 05:24 (Ref:3542389)

New regs for 2016 may just be something Mac are interested in. Seems the turbo engines will be ok since thats what Ford supposedly run.

Articus · 29 May 2015, 05:26 (Ref:3542392)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

New regs for 2016 may just be something Mac are interested in. Seems the turbo engines will be ok since thats what Ford supposedly run.

Ford, Ferrari (488GTB, V8TT), BMW (M6 V8TT) and soon Porsche (V6TT) who have officially dropped N/A engines from the 911 lineup).

Articus · 29 May 2015, 05:31 (Ref:3542394)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

New regs for 2016 may just be something Mac are interested in. Seems the turbo engines will be ok since thats what Ford supposedly run.

Turbo engines up to 4 liters are allowed in the existing rulebook though. So it's never actually been a problem.

TF110 · 29 May 2015, 05:51 (Ref:3542398)

Their equality seemed the issue, not their allowance. The M6 is 4.4L so they are outside the rules. But the other new cars will be interesting to see.

MitchZ06 · 29 May 2015, 06:12 (Ref:3542404)

Let's not forget the 12C GT3 was originally planned as a GT2 car when it was first conceived.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[LM24] 2014 Le Mans GTE class	jasonjessica09	24 Heures du Mans	45	7 Jun 2014 21:28
BMW confirms Z4 GTE for American Le Mans Series	pederb	Sportscar & GT Racing	92	13 Dec 2012 10:21
[LM24] Best Sounding Car in the Le Mans Car Parks	Aysedasi	24 Heures du Mans	26	16 Mar 2004 21:55
[LM24] McLaren Mercedes at Le Mans?	Down F0rce	24 Heures du Mans	15	16 Oct 2002 14:15
[LM24] McLaren Le Mans Video	Aysedasi	24 Heures du Mans	49	27 Sep 2002 15:22