McLaren have recently announced the limited-edition 620R, a road legal version of the GT4 race car, of which only 350 will be made.

It will be the first car in its class to provide true motorsport credentials in a completely road-legal package. Just 350 examples of the the limited-edition coupé will be made, and it evolves the Motorsport spec McLaren 570S GT4 to provide a race-car experience on track or on the road.

The run down:

• Road-legal version of a race car, born from successful McLaren 570S GT4; maximises deployment of motorsport technology free from restriction of racing regulations
• Ultra-desirable and super-rare: only 350 will be produced and all will be hand-assembled in Woking, UK
• It Will be the most powerful car in McLaren's Sports Series. 620PS and 620Nm are produced from a version of McLaren iconic 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
• Shares aerodynamic parts and chassis components with the 570S GT4 giving it race car performance and feel and the fastest lap time of any  of the Sports Series
• Develops a total 185kg of downforce across the aerodynamic bodywork at 250km/h
• Optional track-only, bespoke Pirelli slick tyres an option to optimise mechanical grip. The standard tyre is a road-legal Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R
• Carbon ceramic brakes, centre locking wheels and low-exit stainless steel sports exhaust
• Wider track and Lowered suspension; manually adjustable GT4 dampers
• Lightweight interior, carbon fibre race seats, 6-point racing harnesses and road seat belts
• Available in your pick of three McLaren racing colours – Silica White, Onyx Black and of course McLaren Orange. All come with GT4 race livery as standar and a McLaren Senna GTR-inspired livery is also available. Other body colours and bespoke detailing are available through McLaren Special Operations (MSO)

“The McLaren 570S GT4 is a first-class GT race car that having won races in every championship it has competed in since its first appearance in 2017 is attracting an increasing number of customer racing teams. Now, in response to repeated customer requests, we have homologated that class-leading package for the road in the new McLaren 620R, a limited-edition, 620PS superlight coupé that is the perfect choice for an enthusiast wanting an authentic motorsport driving sensation – and performance to match – on both track and road.” - Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive, Mike Flewitt.

In recent seasons the 570S GT4 has been pivotal in adding to McLaren's already significant success in GT racing with Customer teams. 

Since the customer debut in 2017, the car has become McLarens most successful GT race car, achieving more race wins and podiums to date than any other. Now theMcLaren 620R, the ultimate focused, track-ready roadgoing McLaren Sports Series model celebrates the achievements of the 570S GT4. It is a car destined to be both rare and collectable, thanks to its strictly limited production run.

Sharing parts and keeping the 620R as close as to the 570S GT4 race car as possible has been of utmost importance the development of the 620R from it's conception. They share the same single-piece carbon fibre Monocell II chassis providing the foundations for the inherent strength yet light weight of the car, with a targeted lightest dry weight of 1,282kg. This carbon fibre core is McLaren's signature. It appears in different forms in every car in their range, and underpins the dynamics, composure and scalpel-like precision that McLarens are renowned for. These characteristics have only been enhanced in the 620R by including the adjustable aerodynamic elements from the the GT4 along with race-derived suspension components and powertrain recalibration to increase power and performance.

The heart is of the 620R is the same M838TE 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 used in the GT4 car, but with a large difference in output.

Being free from racing regulations allowed the McLaren to make this the most powerful Sports Series car yet. The engine ECU and turbocharger management have been reconfigured to produce 620PS (610bhp) and 620Nm (457lb ft) of torque. Even with lap times more important than sheer top speed, these combined outputs help to create benchmark performance figures of 0-100km/h (62mph) in 2.9 seconds and 0-200km/h (124mph) in 8.1 seconds. Maximum speed is 322km/h (200mph).

Stiffer powertrain mounts reduce drivetrain forces during acceleration, minimising inertia under high load, while the 7-speed Seamless Shift Gearbox (SSG) delivers lightning quick shifts, further helped in Track mode by McLaren’s 'Inertia Push' technology. This converts the built-up flywheel energy into a momentary burst of torque on upshift. On the road the driver can choose Sport mode and hear the upshift ‘crack’ made by a split-second cut of the ignition spark during a gearshift.

The GT4’s two-way manually adjustable coilover motorsport dampers also feature on the 620R.

These race-ready dampers have 32 clicks of adjustment on each corner to allow the driver to tailor compression and rebound rates. The dampers also help bring overall weight down by being over 6kg lighter than the regular Sports Series units.

Stopping power comes from McLaren’s latest braking system. In the track-focused set-up on the new 620R comprised of carbon ceramic discs (390mm front, 380mm rear) and forged aluminium brake calipers all round. The braking performance is, unsurprisingly, also extremely impressive on the road where the 620R runs as standard with Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick tyres. However, drivers who opt for the full-slick motorsport tyres when they arrive at the track will experience a whole new level of braking. They have been specially developed for McLaren by Pirelli’s Motorsport team - the slick tyres are optimised to enhance the motorsport brakes and race-derived suspension of the 620R. Their contact patch is 8% larger than that of the road tyre which increases lateral G-forces, making for quicker lap times. The 620 R has been engineered to run on slick tyres without needing mechanical adjustment. This means if weather conditions allow, owners can arrive at a circuit and either fit a second set of wheels with the slicks on, or just change tyres and go straight out on track without further delay.

Every 620R features a dedication plaque on the centre console with an identification number (eg. 1 of 350).

620R production will be limited to just 350 customer orders, all hand-built at the McLaren Production Centre in Woking, Surrey. Production of the 620R will begin in January, with each car costing from £250,000 including tax (UK); for buyers purchasing in Europe and the USA, the price includes a Pure McLaren Track Day, with expert driving tuition at a race circuit.

To discover more about the new McLaren 620R ‘road-legal GT4 race car,  go to -  https://cars.mclaren.com/en/latest/post/mclaren-620R