LONDON: McLaren Motorsport today revealed the new Artura GT4 race car, ahead of its global public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on June 23-26.
Based on the Artura supercar, the Artura GT4 builds on the successes of the 570S GT4 and 720S GT3 competition cars.
The new Artura GT4 shares much of its technology with the Artura road car, which debuts the McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture featuring a carbon fibre monocoque.
This motorsport-inspired chassis design and construction is the ideal platform for a race car, as a rigid structure enables a wider setup envelope for the driver as well as providing a strong and extremely safe driving environment.
The weight reduction is a key element of the Artura road car, and this philosophy continues in the race car – with a compact V6 engine and ancillaries including the exhaust system all weight-optimised, the new GT4 car is more than 100kg lighter than the outgoing 570S GT4.
The Artura road car has a hybrid powertrain with an all-new, compact twin-turbo 120-degree V6 petrol engine, allied to an Axial Flux E-Motor located in the transmission.
The V6 engine alone generates more than enough output for the tightly-controlled GT4 racing requirements, where regulations do not permit hybrid powertrains.
The lack of hybrid components delivers a weight-saving of 130kg on an already super-lightweight car, while the space within the carbon monocoque for the hybrid battery of the road car now houses the fuel cell and ancillary drive system, keeping weight central and low down.
The new V6 engine features fast-responding twin turbochargers situated within the engine vee and the unit has been designed to offer improved throttle response and fuel economy compared to the older M838 V8 used in the 570S GT4, even without electrification.
Considerably lighter and smaller than the older unit, the new V6 engine further improves power-to-weight, lowers the car’s centre of gravity and benefits weight distribution.
The V6 engine is controlled by a Bosch Motorsport ECU to fine-tune Balance of Performance management, essential for competing in the GT4 category. The Artura GT4 also features a modular motorsport wiring harness for serviceability, reducing repair times and costs. This interfaces with a motorsport electrical system for enhanced versatility, with the benefit of more robust and variable control systems.
Power is delivered through a seven-speed gearbox with an improved set of ratios optimised for performance and the transmission system has onboard diagnostic software.
The unit is not the same as the Artura road car’s eight-speed seamless shift gearbox as this employs the E-motor for reversing; GT4 regulations demand that the car must have a reverse gear.
The GT4 iteration comes with an aerodynamic package that offers greater downforce than the outgoing 570S GT4 particularly at the front end, which features a bespoke splitter, dive planes and bespoke bonnet duct.
At the rear, a high efficiency wing incorporates seven angle settings to cover a wide spectrum of circuit types.
Ingress and egress is better than in the 570S GT4, important for swift driver changes mid-race.
Safety levels are on a par with the 720S GT3, including the fixed FIA 8862 spec driver’s seat with adjustable pedals for reach and the steering wheel is also inspired by the GT3 car with illuminated buttons for competition in all conditions at both day and night. The cockpit also features a new Bosch DDU instrument display, with enhanced graphics.
Suspension and handling is enhanced over the 570S GT4 with the front wheel width increased for more grip and less tyre degradation with development carried out in conjunction with tyre partner Pirelli.
At the rear a mechanical Limited Slip Differential offers increased grip and performance with the benefit of improved rear brake wear, performance and reduced fuel consumption over the 570S GT4’s Electronic Stability Program system.
Damping has also been improved, as has brake cooling efficiency. Driver aids include motorsport-specific Anti-lock Braking and Traction Control systems with adjustment for different grip conditions.
The Artura GT4 will make its global public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on June 23-26, where visitors will be able to see it in action on the hill ahead of its competitive debut.
At the wheel will be McLaren Factory Driver Rob Bell, winner of last year’s Timed Shootout Final in the McLaren 720S GT3X.
McLaren Automotive’s motorsport division will continue an intensive test and development programme ahead of the 2023 season when the first customer cars will compete. Customers can register interest in the new Artura GT4 now, through McLaren Motorsport retailers.
Keyword: All-new McLaren Artura GT4 jettisons hybrid parts for the track