McLaren F1 GTR - BMW '95
- Performance Point
- PP 740.81
- Group
- Gr.3
- Max Power
- 600 BHP / 7,500 rpm
- Max Torque
- 66.4 kgfm / 6,000 rpm
- DriveTrain
- MR
- Aspiration
- NA (Naturally Aspirated)
- Displacement
- 6,064 cc
- Manufacturer
- McLaren
- Length
- 4,292 mm
- Width
- 1,820 mm
- Height
- 1,140 mm
- Weight
- 1,050 kg
The Legendary McLaren F1 GTR - BMW '95: A Le Mans Icon and Racing Triumph
The McLaren F1 GTR - BMW '95 is a motorsport legend, born from one of the most celebrated road cars in history—the McLaren F1. Originally designed as an ultra-high-performance road car, the F1 caught the attention of racing teams and enthusiasts alike with its innovative design, central driving position, and record-breaking speed. In response to racing demand, McLaren developed the F1 GTR for competition in the GT classes, and 1995 marked a particularly magical chapter in its story.
Under the hood, the McLaren F1 GTR '95 houses a robust 6.1-liter naturally-aspirated BMW S70/2 V12 engine, producing around 600 horsepower. Lightweight materials and a cutting-edge aerodynamic package made the F1 GTR a formidable competitor. Despite being lightly modified from the road-going version, the race car retained much of its original DNA, including its distinctive design and astonishing performance qualities.
The highlight of the car's legacy came at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the McLaren F1 GTRs left an indelible mark. Against factory-backed prototypes, five GTRs entered the grueling endurance classic, and remarkably, the car in the hands of JJ Lehto, Yannick Dalmas, and Masanori Sekiya (run by Kokusai Kaihatsu Racing) claimed outright victory. Other F1 GTRs finished third, fourth, and fifth, cementing the model's place in motorsport history as a giant killer, capable of besting purpose-built racers on debut.
The success of the McLaren F1 GTR - BMW '95 at Le Mans and in other prominent endurance series makes it one of the most famous and revered GT race cars of all time. Its success not only elevated McLaren's status as both a road car manufacturer and a motorsport powerhouse, but it also exemplified the philosophy of translating road car brilliance onto the racetrack—a hallmark for enthusiasts and collectors alike. Today, the F1 GTR remains an aspirational icon in both the realms of racing and automotive heritage.