2018 McLaren Speedtail Albert Prototype Navigation
FIRST McLAREN SPEEDTAIL ATTRIBUTE PROTOTYPE, 'ALBERT' SQUARES UP TO RIGOROUS REAL-WORLD TESTING
•McLaren's new 'Hyper GT' embarks on year-long test regime underpinning development of new center-seat, 250mph hybrid•Closed-facility testing of the fastest McLaren ever now underway; public road trials due to commence in December 2018
•Attribute prototypes join Speedtail 'mules' in ongoing durability testing
•First attribute prototype affectionately christened 'Albert', in tribute to its famous McLaren F1 forebear that was designed in Albert Drive, Woking, Surrey ÚK
•First customer deliveries of McLaren Speedtail due early 2020
The first hybrid powertrain prototype of McLaren Automotive's breathtaking new Últimate Series flagship, the McLaren Speedtail, officially embarks this week on a year-long test regime that will underpin the development of the first McLaren Hyper-GT. The punishing test program in the run-up to production commencing at the end of 2019 will see Speedtail prototypes running in Europe, North America and Africa, initially at bespoke automotive test facilities but later amongst traffic on 'normal' roads.
Deployment of the first Speedtail attribute prototype marks an exciting new stage in the development of the fastest, most aerodynamic and most luxurious McLaren ever made. The prototype is officially designated MVY02* but echoing the naming of development test mules of its legendary forebear, the 1992 McLaren F1, has been christened, 'Albert'. This is a respectful reflection not only on the name of the McLaren F1 mule 'Albert' but also the Albert Drive premises in which the F1 was designed.

'The start of real-world testing represents a major step in the development of the McLaren Speedtail. As the first fully representative prototype, 'Albert' will build on the invaluable work still being put in by earlier development cars, allowing us to sign-off vehicle attributes including chassis dynamics; brake performance; damper tuning; tires; NVH and aspects of ergonomics and comfort. With a huge amount achieved already, the McLaren Speedtail is well on the way to fulfilling its destiny as the greatest McLaren road car ever.'
Ben Gulliver, Head of Vehicle Development, McLaren Automotive
The central driving position and three-seat layout of the Speedtail was pioneered by the iconic McLaren F1 in 1992. This configuration is uniquely McLaren, remaining exclusive among production cars until McLaren Automotive confirmed in November 2016 that it would be reprised for the next Últimate Series model, then codenamed BP23.
The center-seat layout of the Speedtail was first publicly demonstrated in a 'proof of concept' model that was simply a McLaren 720S reconfigured with a single, centrally-mounted driving seat. Four further mules followed and these will continue to be used around the world for performance and durability testing, alongside the prototype vehicles.
Despite its test livery and the bodywork from the A-pillars forward, 'Albert' is fundamentally a Speedtail, with shape-representative body panels and dihedral doors around the unique carbon fibre McLaren Monocage core structure. The production-level specification allows Speedtail attributes to be proven in real-world conditions early in the development process, including for example ingress and egress to the three-seat cockpit.
Production of the £1.75 million (plus local taxes) McLaren Speedtail is due to commence at the end of 2019, with first deliveries in early 2020. As with the McLaren F1, 106 cars will be available and all have already now been allocated to owners.Source - McLaren
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