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McLaren sought inspiration from a video game to create the track-only, single-seater Solus GT, with a 5.2-liter V10 engine and a mighty 828 hp.

McLaren is one of the most celebrated automakers in recent history. It has some of the most impressive vehicles on the market, but until recently, one of McLaren’s most exciting cars was only a concept in a video game released in 2017. However, McLaren has now made this ride a reality due to a strong desire from the car world — enter the track-only McLaren Solus GT. McLaren unveiled the vehicle at the 2022 Monterey Car Week in California.

The fantastic point about this ride is that a world-class automaker drew inspiration from the video game Gran Turismo. However, as with most McLaren models, most will never get the chance to drive one. This is because not only does the McLaren Solus GT have a price tag of $3.6 million, but it’s also an extremely limited model. McLaren will only produce 25 units of this video game-inspired car. While we like limited production models from automakers of this level, McLaren making such few units as this is almost unheard of. However, it’s fitting given the rare circumstance of this vehicle coming from a video game, and we hope, this will set a trend for other automakers to take such inspiration.

The McLaren Solus GT is absolutely insane. According to McLaren, the car has a hefty 5.2-liter V10 engine under its hood. The engine can rev up to more than 10,000 RPM. The McLaren Solus GT has a maximum output of 828 horsepower and a torque of 479 ft-lb. It is a rear-wheel drive vehicle that uses a seven-speed sequential gearbox. The transmission on the McLaren Solus GT uses racing-styled straight-cut gears.

This bad boy from McLaren is faster than most people can conceptualize. The Solus GT accelerates from 0 to 62 miles per hour in only 2.5 seconds. The car’s top speed is above 200 miles per hour. Clearly, speed is the goal of this car. This goal makes sense, given that a video game inspired the vehicle. After all, the McLaren Solus GT would be a great deal less exciting if the concept we saw in the video game turned out to be better than what the automaker created.

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One of the essential aspects of vehicles like the McLaren Solus GT is the design. This is because the Solus features a striking and unique design, but it’s also important because the design lends itself to the aerodynamic nature and speed capability of these rides. One of this car's most critical design features is its overall shape. It has the perfect exterior shape for the vehicle to be as fast as possible. And, of course, it features the traditional McLaren “hammerhead nose.” The team designed most of the vehicle's body from carbon fiber. The dramatic wheels are another essential design element of the McLaren Solus GT — one may assume they are just for show, but they help make the car more aerodynamic.

The wing of the McLaren Solus GT is something out of a dream. So much so that the automaker considers it one of the most beautiful aspects of the car. But of course, the wing isn’t only about looks. It’s also functional as it helps with rear downforce. In fact, according to McLaren, the Solus GT generates 2,645 lbs of downforce. The McLaren Solus GT is a breathtakingly beautiful car, proving that the automaker still has new tricks up its sleeves.

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The interiors of cars like this aren’t always super impressive. This is because the automaker aims to make them as fast as possible. Because of this, the interior of the McLaren Solus GT is simple yet user-friendly. One significant feature of the interior design of the McLaren Solus GT is that it’s a single-seater. Not only does this help make the car feel less like a car and more like a fighter jet, but it also helps keep the overall weight of the car low.

The car has a carbon fiber steering wheel that includes the main controls and a TFT display. The great thing about the inside of the vehicle is that the most used features are super easy to get to. Despite being simple, the interior of the McLaren Solus GT is pretty technologically advanced. For example, you can see a live feed of the rear of your car. The camera for this feed is on the top of the vehicle. This use of technology shows that McLaren built this ride for speed, but the design team also wanted it to be highly advanced.

McLaren is a well-respected automaker. Of course, most companies of this caliber would not take inspiration from a video game. Still, this action shows that McLaren isn’t only a part of the modern generation of carmakers, but that it genuinely wants to move the industry forward and show the world what’s possible. Hopefully, we’ll soon see the McLaren Solus GT in person, but until then, you can find us playing Gran Turismo for our fill of the car.

Barnell Anderson is a writer from Louisiana, USA with a real passion for cars and motorcycles. His biggest areas of expertise are car history and concept cars. Barnell's favorite car is the Ford Mustang. He also wants to one day own a Tesla!