VIN: the World Speed Record-setting McLaren F1 Prototype chassis XP5
History of chassis XP5
XP5 was the last of five F1 prototypes built with the XP chassis prefix.
McLaren configured the car in Dark Metallic Green with a Grey interior and a Black driver’s seat with Green insert.
XP5 served as a testing and promotional machine.
McLaren registered the car K8 MCL in April 1994.
In the months that followed, XP5 was driven extensively by members of the automotive press. Among its editorial appearances were Autocar (May 11th 1994), Car (June 1994), Wheels (June 1994), Car and Driver (August 1994), Auto Zeitung (August 12th 1994), Road & Track (November 1994), Auto Motor Sport (December 1994) and Rallye Racing (June 6th 1995).
Car magazine’s renowned journalist, Roger Bell, wrote of XP5:
“Long before I’m beyond urban limits, I realise where the mighty F1 is going to score over all its distant rivals: no matter what gear you’re in, or what the revs, the huge muscle of its fabulously potent and tractable V12 engine can be switched on and off like a light bulb. It’s that immediate. No wonder Murray eschews the lag-prone turbo. The harder you squeeze the F1’s throttle – and there always seems to be more movement, more revs, more decibels in reserve, so huge is the car’s performance envelope – the greater the ferocity, the more strident the noise. No Ferrari V12 gets close for aural uplift, never mind for sheer, pulverising power. The world’s greatest road-car engine is right here, behind my back in the F1.
It was the McLaren’s maximum that made the headlines, but it’s the car’s breathtaking acceleration that frightens and thrills. Nothing, but nothing gets anywhere close to this car...”
In 1993, one of XP5’s sister prototypes (XP3) had hit 231mph at the Nardo bowl with McLaren Formula 1 test driver, Jonathan Palmer, at the wheel. The car could have undoubtedly gone faster had it not been for the tight nature of the circular track.
In March 1998, McLaren headed to Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien Proving Ground to finally establish the F1’s top speed. On the last day of the month, Andy Wallace took XP5 up to a world record 386.7kmh (240.14mph).
XP5 remains perhaps the most famous F1 of all.
It was retained by McLaren for their heritage collection.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: McLaren - https://www.mclaren.com
