McLaren 650S GT3. A step up

McLaren launches its new official motorsport contender at the Goodwood Festival of Speed: the 650S GT3.

Ever wondered what the McLaren 650S would look like as a GT3 track edition? Wonder no more, courtesy of McLaren’s much-anticipated unveil at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

From the 2015 season onwards, the 650S GT3 will take on competitive duties in GT3 championships across the globe. Based on the 650S (around that lightweight carbon fibre MonoCell chassis), the new GT3 iteration includes a new front splitter and larger air intakes, all-new lightweight carbon fibre bodywork wraps for more efficient cooling, and a fixed carbon fibre rear wing. Updates have also made to the suspension geometry, while the GT3 also boasts a wider track than its road-going counterpart. Take a peak inside and you’ll also find FIA-approved rollcage, a re-designed (and subsequently lighter) rollcage, and a McLaren GT-developed race seat, fitted with a six-point race harness.

At the heart of the newboy lies McLaren’s established 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 mated to a six-speed sequential tranmsisison, although power figures have yet to be released.

The launch of the 650S GT3 effectively brings an end to the 12C GT3’s tenure. Across its three seasons of competition, the 12C GT3 has claimed three championship titles, 51 race victories and 71 further podiums.