The wait is almost over for endurance racing fans as McLaren has confirmed its plans to enter the WEC's Hypercar class for 2027. The British automaker will be competing in the top-spec endurance racing series, a move that marks a significant return to the sport after two decades. This news comes as exciting times for the McLaren faithful, who will soon have the opportunity to own a piece of racing history.
The customer version of the upcoming race car is expected to follow in the footsteps of Ferrari and Aston Martin, with its own track-only model being developed by HyperTrack cars. The project, code-named 'Project: Endurance,' has been in development for some time, and recent details have shed light on what can be expected from this unique collaboration between McLaren Automotive and McLaren Racing.
While the full-blown WEC machine will utilize a hybrid system, the customer-facing model will instead rely on a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine sourced from the Artura. This powerplant is expected to produce around 720 horsepower, which is slightly lower than some of the brand's previous track-day specials.
The car has been developed in parallel with its WEC counterpart, and represents McLaren Motorsports' first foray into a customer project. This marks an exciting new chapter in the company's history, as it looks to expand its reach beyond traditional racing circuits.
Despite being a more toned-down version of the full-fledged racer, the 'Project: Endurance' car will still offer owners a taste of the McLaren Motorsports experience. The company will provide track day support for two years after purchase, including access to pit crews, engineers, and driving instructors.
This level of support is expected to be highly competitive, with Underwood noting that similar programs from Ferrari and Aston Martin are similarly impressive. With this offering, McLaren aims to create a unique experience for its customers, one that combines the thrill of racing with the exclusivity of owning a bespoke car.
The 2027 season promises to be an exciting one for McLaren, as the brand looks to make a significant return to Le Mans and potentially relive its triple crown glory. With recent success in Formula 1 and IndyCar under its belt, the company is quietly confident that it can achieve this goal.
As the world of motorsport continues to evolve, manufacturers like McLaren are playing an increasingly important role in shaping the future of racing. By offering a customer-spec version of its WEC car, McLaren is not only expanding its reach but also creating new opportunities for enthusiasts and collectors alike.
With 'Project: Endurance' set to hit the roads in 2027, fans can look forward to witnessing these unique machines in action on some of the world's most iconic racing circuits.
