MAC MONO
BBC TopGear India|July 2024
From Vision GT to visceral reality, the V10 Solus GT is a single seater, lightweight hit of pure violence. You're on your own, Jethro...
JETHRO BOVINGDON
MAC MONO

Despite the might of the Ford Motor Co and the breathtaking expertise of Multimatic, our time back in Canada felt a bit like being embedded in a skunkworks team. The track was amazing but tucked away, out of sight; the team quietly went about their business, logging data in silence, measuring tyre and track temperatures. No fuss. No showbiz.

Just a badass car doing badass things away from the gaze of the world.

This is different. We're at COTA - a state of the art F1 facility - and there are people and cars everywhere, lavish hospitality and film crews and Bruno Senna and a McLaren MP4/4 and MP4/5 making ears bleed as they warm through in a pit garage. The MP4/4 won 15 of 16 F1 races back in 1988 driven by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost and, obviously, has irresistible star power. It draws those attending this 'Pure McLaren' event like bees to honey.

These are McLaren's best customers. Those racing in their onemake series, or buyers of the ultimate series cars or their track-only hypercars. There are 20 Sennas gathered in the paddock including some road registered Senna GTRs, plus Pls and the wild 720S GT3X - a car that follows a similar approach to the Ford GT Mk IV.

In other words, I am among my people. Ultra high net worth individuals.

Today I am top dog as I'm here to drive McLaren's newest track only project, the Solus GT. In fact, the real top dog is The Triple F Collection, which has kindly allowed us to drive its Solus GT, finished in Gulf colours. These guys have all the hypercars and are officially my new favourite people.

The GT Mk IV had history on its side. Wrapping up the original GT40 story with the GTE class win in 2016 and referencing the 'big banger' '67 car that also took victory at La Sarthe, it's an easy car to explain and understand. Not so the Solus GT.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BBC TOPGEAR INDIAView all
The Next Great Family MPV?
BBC TopGear India

The Next Great Family MPV?

“Whoa, that’s a nice-looking Minivan!” Said no one ever.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
MG COMET
BBC TopGear India

MG COMET

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAD THOUGHT THIS CAR TO BE COMPLETELY useless when it came out.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
BMW i7
BBC TopGear India

BMW i7

WHEN THE i7 PULLED INTO MY GARAGE AND PARKED ITSELF next to the Mercedes EQA and the MG Comet, it just struck me that this is how the future will be.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP
BBC TopGear India

SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP

McLaren's finest faces off Corvette's nat-asp swansong as the Brits and the Americans square up... in a Spanish playground. Expect fireworks

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
NEXT LEVEL
BBC TopGear India

NEXT LEVEL

Thought the 750S was fast? The McLaren P1's successor - the W1 is ready to spread its wings

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
MANUAL LABOUR
BBC TopGear India

MANUAL LABOUR

Two cars from opposite ends of the performance spectrum with one crucial thing in common...

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
PRO VS SLOW
BBC TopGear India

PRO VS SLOW

At last, we have our hands on the Valkyrie. But is its performance only accessible for the pros... or can anyone enjoy it?

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2024
THE OUTBURST OF OFFROADING
BBC TopGear India

THE OUTBURST OF OFFROADING

The high-volume market is a point of interest for all manufacturers here in India.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
THE BATTLE OF CRUISER-COMMUTERS
BBC TopGear India

THE BATTLE OF CRUISER-COMMUTERS

WHO DOES THE BEST COMMUTER WORK WHILE NOT BEING A TRUE COMMUTER MOTORCYCLE?

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
LEAVING EVERYTHING ON THE TRACK
BBC TopGear India

LEAVING EVERYTHING ON THE TRACK

FT. YMRP ROUND 3 From being second, I DNF'd from the race on the last corner

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024