McLaren has announced their next GT3 race car will be based on the Super Series 720S released earlier this year.
The current 650S GT3 will be replaced by a new 720S GT3, joining the 570S GT4 in McLaren's competition line-up.
The 720S GT3 will undergo an intensive development programme in 2018, before making its competitive debut with customer teams in the 2019 season.
Building on the recent successes with the 12C GT3 and 650S GT3 cars, McLaren say the 720S GT3 will benefit from race and championship-winning experience and knowledge gained by the company during their first six seasons of GT3 competition.
The MonoCage II carbon fibre structure at the heart of the 720S road car will also provide a foundation for the 720S GT3 race car. Power will come by way of a race-prepared version of McLaren’s 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 M840T, transferred to the wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox.
The aerodynamically-optimised bodywork of the 720S GT3 will be made from both composite and carbon fibre with a full aerodynamic package. The suspension will comprise of adjustable dampers and coil-over springs, front and rear.
The 720S GT3 race car follows on from the 650S GT3 which has proved itself as a race winner on the highest GT stages globally following its launch in 2014.
It has scored titles on all four continents on which it has campaigned in the Asian Le Mans Series, Australian GT championship and Pirelli World Challenge.
Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen also played a hand in claiming two big titles for the British super car maker, winning the Bathurst 12 Hour and Blancpain Endurance Cup in a stellar 2016 season.
Shane van Gisbergen wins the Bathurst 12 hour in the 650S GT3. Photo / McLaren
The 650S GT3 was a development from the original 12C GT3 which was launched in 2010. After an intense development programme throughout the 2011 season, the 12C GT3 debuted with customer teams a year later, winning 19 races, 19 podiums and pole position for the Spa 24h race.
The 720S GT3 will provide a stunning race-going addition to our Super Series product family," said McLaren Automotive CEO, Mike Flewitt.
"Drivers will now be able to hone their skills under expert guidance backed-up by our technicians at the circuit and our motorsport retailers away from it.”
"The 720S GT3 car builds on the success of our previous models in this class and is capable of competing against – and beating – the best that the GT world has to offer.”
