The Gentleman Magazine Issue 12 | December 2018 | Page 20

This inlet, which provides the air intake for the internal
combustion engine element of the petrol-electric powertrain,
is set flush within the roof to reduce drag and cannot be seen
when the McLaren Speedtail is viewed in profile.
The required flow of air to the powertrain is maintained with
two intakes that slope downwards, starting just behind the
glass canopy. The intakes – which are split by the central high-
mounted stop light – curve down into the engine cover before
disappearing from view; a shorter, more aggressive intake
would cause the air to separate from the surface and pass over
the intake.
One of the innovations immediately obvious on the McLaren
Speedtail is the introduction of lightweight, carbon fibre
front-wheel static aero covers. Incorporated into the 20-
inch, 10-spoke forged alloy front wheel design to minimise
aerodynamic drag, they remain fixed in position as the wheels
rotate, the flat surface smoothing airflow around what would
otherwise be a turbulent aerodynamic area. Typically, the
revolution of a wheel drives air away from the vehicle, but
the carbon fibre front-wheel static aero covers keep the air
‘attached’ to the car and guide it onwards to the door blades on
the leading edge of the dihedral doors.
The static wheel covers work in conjunction with multiple ducts
and air paths to reduce turbulent air within the wheelarches.
As air passes out of the LTRs, for instance, it is vented into the
front wheelarches. From there – together with heat energy
generated by the lightweight, carbon ceramic braking system –
the air is channeled through the ducts in the fixed front wheel
aero cover in a consistent flow pattern. Pressure within the
wheelarches is also reduced via the lower door vents, which
draw the turbulent air created by the rotating front wheels
out of the arches and drive it smoothly along the sides of the
McLaren Speedtail. The wheels themselves are finished in an
elegant gloss black, with diamond-cut finishing. Brake calipers
in Speedtail Silver complement the lustrous body colour.
Door mirrors are notably absent, the McLaren Speedtail instead
featuring two discreet, high-definition digital cameras that
glide out of the doors when the vehicle ignition is activated.
Traditional fixed door mirrors create a surprising amount
of air turbulence, but with a significantly smaller profile, the
cameras on the Speedtail have only a minimal effect on airflow;
furthermore, they provide a much wider field of view of the
road behind. The camera feed is displayed on two screens,
positioned at either side of the instrument panel in front of
the driver. When Velocity mode is selected, the cameras retract
into the doors, reducing drag further still.
Utilising the same aerodynamic principles proven on the
McLaren P1™, second-generation McLaren Super Series and
McLaren Senna, intakes for the HTRs (High-Temperature
Radiators) are mounted on the shoulders of the Speedtail,
within the double-skinned dihedral doors. The raised front
wings, compact cockpit glasshouse and flush glazing serves to
keep the airflow attached to the vehicle, and drive it over the
front fenders and into the deep channels within the doors to
provide cooling for the 1,050PS hybrid powertrain. Such is the
efficiency of this solution that the HTR intakes of the McLaren
Speedtail are particularly compact, further minimising drag. 
The trailing edge of the Speedtail showcases a particular
highlight, namely a pair of active rear ailerons. These dynamic
20 | The Gentleman Magazine “Powered by
elements are hydraulically actuated and an integral part of the
rear clamshell, formed in flexible carbon fibre; the body of
the Speedtail can quite literally bend. With a tolerance of only
1mm between the surfaces, this dramatic new technology all
but removes any gaps or shutlines between the vehicle and the
leading edge of the spoilers, meaning there is no turbulent air,
no drag and no loss of speed.
Positioned outboard from the centre of the Speedtail for
optimal aerodynamic performance, the twin active ailerons
adjust to move the centre of pressure and provide the required
level of downforce precisely when it is needed most, for
instance under deceleration to provide an airbrake function,
while at high speed to increase vehicle stability.
Performing a similar function to that of the lower door vents,
the vertical rear blades that are located beyond the trailing
edge of the rear fenders draw turbulent air out of the rear
wheelarches, away from the 21-inch forged alloy, rear wheels.
By reintroducing this ‘dirty’ air into the external environment
as smoothly as possible, the base pressure behind the Speedtail
is reduced – and so therefore is drag.
The rear diffuser of the McLaren Speedtail works in conjunction
with the rear blades to reduce base pressure and drag, achieving
this through the fluent merger of the airflow from the top and
the underside of the vehicle. The extended length of the diffuser
and flat underfloor combine to diffuse the airflow before – in
conjunction with the extended rear bodywork of the Speedtail
– introducing it gradually back into the freestream rather than
separating it from the rear of the vehicle with a hard, abrupt
edge. The result is a further improvement to aerodynamic drag
efficiency.
Beautifully tailored luxury, of your own creation
“The McLaren Speedtail is a vehicle unlike any other, not
simply because of the astonishing visual drama, extreme speed
and aerodynamic excellence that distinguish it, but because it
sets unprecedented standards in technical luxury and bespoke
customisation. The same boundless innovation and creativity
that drives McLaren to push the limits of physical performance
have challenged us to craft an exquisite interior defined by
pioneering design and the absolute pinnacle of materials
quality.”
Rob Melville, Design Director, McLaren Automotive
A Speedtail driver’s seat is positioned – literally – at the centre
of the cockpit. This creates an unparalleled sense of space and
a perfectly balanced view out of the windscreen. The custom-
made carbon fibre seat, inspired by the seat of the iconic
McLaren F1, offers the support and comfort appropriate for a
‘Hyper-GT’ car. Entry into this very special driving position is
aided by a newly created directional leather finish that makes
it easy to slide into the seat but then subtly holds the occupant
in place while they drive. The central seat is flanked by two
passenger seats that are integral to the carbon fibre monocoque.
The windscreen curves upwards to become part of the roof,
meeting a glazed porthole above the driver’s head and the
glazed upper section of the dramatic dihedral doors. The
incredible sense of space continues rearwards with glass rear-
quarterlights that stretch back behind the seats to almost level
with the rear axle. An extraordinary amount of light streams
, Security in Motion”