Currently reading: McLaren 720S GT3 racer begins testing ahead of 2019 debut
Track version of 720S supercar costs £440,000 and features extensive engineering upgrades from road car

The new McLaren 720S GT3 racing car has begun an extensive testing programme ahead of its introduction in 2019. The British firm has also finalised pricing of the car, which will cost £440,000 for ex-works versions.

The Woking manufacturer’s new racer succeeds the 650S GT3, which has won more than 50 races and a number of championships during its lifespan, including Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup and Australian GT Championship titles.

Two race versions of the 720S are being tested in Europe, the Middle East and the US, with more than 18,500 miles of running planned, including a number of 24-hour and 36-hour tests.

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Built to GT3 regulations for customer racing, the car will be homologated to compete from the start of 2019 onwards. McLaren says the development target has centred on speed and stability, along with making the machine accessible for drivers of all abilities. GT3 racing features a mix of professional and amateur drivers.

The 720S GT3 is powered by a race-tuned version of the 720S’s M840T twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, driving the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox.

Andrew Frankel: racing a McLaren 570S GT4 around Spa

The race car shares the Monocage II structure of the road version but gains race-spec bodywork, developed using extensive computational fluid dynamics simulation, and adjustable dampers with coilover springs. It runs on bespoke Pirelli tyres.

Design and development of the 720S GT3 has taken place at a new dedicated GT race facility within McLaren Automotive’s Woking base.

Mclaren 720s gt3 concept sketch rear final for release

When the 720S GT3 was first launched in November 2017, it was alongside a new McLaren Automotive motorsport dealer network. McLaren Glasgow will be the first of 10 international retailers across Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region offering the brand’s competition cars.

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Alongside its new retailer network, McLaren Automotive has followed Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini by launching its own one-make racing series. The McLaren-GT racing series kicked off this year for the 570S GT4.

These less highly strung competition models compete on European circuits, including Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, in an ‘arrive and drive’ format.

McLaren Automotive has also invested in four drivers via its newly formed Driver Development Programme, which is tasked with finding and nurturing future GT racing talent. Young hopefuls Jordan Albert, Charlie Fagg, Michael O’Brien and Lewis Proctor will be mentored by Rob Bell, McLaren’s factory GT driver, and compete in 570S GT4 racers from next year.

McLaren’s customer racing programme falls under its road car arm, McLaren Automotive, which recently became the McLaren Group’s largest division with 2100 employees. The company’s Formula 1 programme is handled by McLaren Racing.

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James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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jason_recliner 25 August 2018

Holy Moly!

This is one of the most beautiful race cars of all time IMO.

Peter Cavellini 24 August 2018

Getting silly again...

 £440,000....?,Just a silly price for a weekend racer, at the moment it’s the must have Car, they get great write ups, not much bad said about them, and there according to some the best Car on the Road?!, well, if you’ve got the meansthen why not?, but that is a bit of a double gulp price for what it does, unless it’s a sure fire winner out of the box which I doubt, there are just as good for less.

Bob Cat Brian 24 August 2018

Peter Cavellini wrote:

Peter Cavellini wrote:

 £440,000....?,Just a silly price for a weekend racer, at the moment it’s the must have Car, they get great write ups, not much bad said about them, and there according to some the best Car on the Road?!, well, if you’ve got the meansthen why not?, but that is a bit of a double gulp price for what it does, unless it’s a sure fire winner out of the box which I doubt, there are just as good for less.

I have no idea how this compares to the equivalent GT racers from other manufacturers, I suspect you don't either?

Peter Cavellini 25 August 2018

One nil then.... to the Car as a

Bob Cat Brian@, I may not, but way back fifty sixty and further back “specials” were built for the well heeled who wanted to race, some even went after landspeed records, referring to the Car as such because in this spec it would be a bumpy drive where ever,but, on a Track that’s where it come into its own, and it is fair to say it might or might not be a winner immediately...

StuM82 24 August 2018

Peter Cavellini wrote:

Peter Cavellini wrote:

 £440,000....?,Just a silly price for a weekend racer, at the moment it’s the must have Car, they get great write ups, not much bad said about them, and there according to some the best Car on the Road?!, well, if you’ve got the meansthen why not?, but that is a bit of a double gulp price for what it does, unless it’s a sure fire winner out of the box which I doubt, there are just as good for less.

What are you on about? Did you read the article? It's a legitimate race car that conforms with GT3 standards, it could be used in a proper race series as its predecessor was. It's not just a 'weekend racer' although if someone was wealthy enough to use it for that purpose fair play to them.

jmd67 15 December 2017

This looks SO much better

This looks SO much better than that Senna monster they pooed out the other day. It looks amazing.