McLaren Speedtail gears up for testing: prototype is called Albert

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Don’t hold your breath waiting to see one on the road

McLaren might have spilled the beans on the new Speedtail, but the hyper-GT won’t hit the streets just yet because it has to undergo a series of, we believe, gruelling tests.

Our suspicions are confirmed by McLaren, as the British carmakers announces the Speedtail will enter “the punishing test programme in the run-up to production commencing at the end of 2019 […] in Europe, North America and Africa."

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For now, McLaren will test the Speedtail in a closed facility, with road tests set to kick off in December 2018.

The first test prototype is called Albert and features a production-ready chassis and a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain, along with the three-seat cockpit configuration with the driver positioned at the center.

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During the test, McLaren factory drivers will entirely unleash the car’s 1,050 PS capable of sending the Speedtail to a top speed of 250 mph (403 km/h).

As you know, McLaren’s Speedtail will sell for €1.75 million (local taxes not included) once it is ready to hit the market towards the end of 2019. Customers, however, will receive their cars beginning with early 2020.

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As you’d imagine, all 106 units scheduled to reach production have been accounted for.

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