# McLaren 650S GT3 (2015–2018)

- Source: https://racingcarnetwork.com/wiki/mclaren-650s-gt3/
- Publisher: Racing Car Network (racingcarnetwork.com), the race car marketplace
- Type: car · Brand: McLaren
- Discipline: gt-racing
- Series: gt3
- Era: 2010s
- Last updated: 2026-11-06

The 650S GT3 is McLaren's customer GT3 racer of 2015–2018, built on the 12C GT3's carbon tub with a new Xtrac gearbox. It won Bathurst and the Blancpain Endurance Cup in 2016. FIA homologation ended in 2022, so buyers now use it on legends grids, open-class club racing and track days.

## Specifications

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | McLaren M838T 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, race-prepared, McLaren Electronics ECU controlling boost and shifts [1] |
| Power | About 500 PS, set by GT3 Balance of Performance [1] |
| Weight | 1,240 kg quoted for the 2016 car [4] |
| Gearbox | Xtrac P1529 six-speed sequential transverse transaxle, pneumatic paddle shift, rated 800 Nm input torque [0][7][14] |
| Chassis | Carbon fibre MonoCell with aluminium front and rear subframes, FIA roll cage, track 52 mm wider than the 12C GT3 [1] |
| Suspension | Double wishbones, 4-way adjustable coil-over dampers, adjustable anti-roll bars [1] |
| Brakes | Monoblock calipers: 6-piston front on 380 x 35 mm discs, 4-piston rear on 355 x 32 mm discs; Bosch motorsport ABS [1] |
| Wheels Fuel | Forged 12.5x18 front and 13x18 rear, single nut; 125-litre bag tank [1][2] |
| Years | Revealed June 2014; FIA homologation 1 February 2015 to 31 December 2022; no new cars after 2017 [0][17][5] |
| Class | FIA GT3, homologation GT3-037 [17] |

## History

McLaren GT revealed the 650S GT3 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June 2014 [0][1]. It replaced the 12C GT3, which had received a £325,000 update package for 2013 [20]. The new car kept the carbon MonoCell tub and the 3.8-litre M838T twin-turbo V8 [0][1]. Output stayed around 500 PS under GT3 Balance of Performance [1]. The track grew by 52 mm and the body followed the wider road-going 650S [0][1].

The main mechanical change was the gearbox. McLaren replaced the Ricardo six-speed sequential used in the 12C GT3 with an Xtrac unit [0]. Managing director Andrew Kirkaldy said the old gearbox had been one of the team's weak areas [3]. The Xtrac P1529 is a six-speed transverse transaxle rated at 800 Nm, built for long GT3 service intervals [7][14]. New cars cost £330,000 plus tax [0]. McLaren planned about 15 new cars plus around 15 upgraded 12C GT3s [0][1].

The car received FIA GT3 homologation GT3-037 from 1 February 2015 [17]. A revised version was shown ahead of the March 2016 Geneva show, quoted at 1,240 kg [4]. That season was its best. It won the Bathurst 12 Hour, both Blancpain Endurance Cup titles and the Pirelli World Challenge GT crown [8][9][10].

McLaren GT was run together with CRS, Kirkaldy's company. In November 2017 McLaren said the CRS contract would end that year and no more 650S GT3s would be built [5]. The in-house 720S GT3 replaced it from 2019 [5][17]. CRS then claimed exclusive aftersales rights for the GT3 cars. The High Court dismissed that claim in November 2018, so McLaren now supports 12C GT3 and 650S GT3 owners itself [6]. The FIA homologation expired on 31 December 2022 [17].

## Palmarès

Tekno Autosports won the Bathurst 12 Hour on 7 February 2016 [8]. Its drivers were Shane van Gisbergen, Álvaro Parente and Jonathon Webb [8]. Garage 59 took the 2016 Blancpain Endurance Cup drivers' and teams' titles, winning two of the five races [9]. Its drivers were Rob Bell, Côme Ledogar and van Gisbergen [9]. Parente won the 2016 Pirelli World Challenge GT title for K-PAX Racing [10]. K-PAX took the teams' title and McLaren the manufacturers' crown [10]. Garage 59 kept a multi-car 650S GT3 entry in the Blancpain GT Series for 2018 [22]. The RacingSportsCars database records 16 overall wins and 9 class wins between 2014 and 2019 [21].

## What to check before you buy

Establish whether the car is a new-build 650S GT3 or a converted 12C GT3, and trace the chassis number through its race history: Both exist in numbers. A converted car keeps its 12C chassis number and history. Confirm the gearbox is the Xtrac P1529 six-speed sequential: The 650S GT3 switched from Ricardo to Xtrac; the gearbox is the clearest sign of a complete conversion. Ask for kilometres since the last engine and transaxle teardown, with invoices: One seller quotes 10,000 km for the engine and 8,000 km for the transaxle before teardown inspection. Ask which engine map is loaded and whether the standard calibration is available: High-boost maps exist and may stress the engine and turbos; they are not a Balance of Performance setting. Make sure the ATLAS diagnostic software, ECU lead and Bosch ABS lead come with the car: The car relies on McLaren electronics and remote diagnosis; without these tools basic setup work is hard. Inspect the radiator, its mesh guard and all four wheel bearings: Both failed on a British GT car in 2016 and caused retirements. Get written confirmation from the organiser of the series you plan to enter: The FIA homologation expired in 2022; acceptance now depends on each club or legends series.

## Did you know

- The 2016 Bathurst 12 Hour win was McLaren's first major endurance race win in more than 20 years [8].
- Garage 59 won both 2016 Blancpain Endurance Cup titles by a single point, despite finishing 30th in the Nürburgring finale [9].
- Chassis 016 was used by McLaren as a test car, demonstrator and factory rent-a-racer at Blancpain GT events before its first private sale [13].

## Frequently asked questions

**Is a converted 12C GT3 the same as a new-build 650S GT3?** McLaren designed the upgrade so 12C owners could reach 650S GT3 specification, because the tub and engine are shared. A converted car keeps its 12C chassis number and history. Check that the Xtrac gearbox and the wider bodywork were fitted, and ask for the conversion invoice.

**Does the 650S GT3 use the Ricardo gearbox?** No. The Ricardo six-speed belonged to the 12C GT3. The 650S GT3 uses an Xtrac six-speed sequential transaxle, listed by sellers as the 1529. If a car still has the Ricardo unit, treat it as a partial conversion and price it accordingly.

**Can I still race it in GT World Challenge or other SRO GT3 series?** No. The FIA GT3 homologation expired on 31 December 2022, and SRO GT3 series require a valid homologation. The car is listed for Masters Endurance Legends 2 in 2026. It may also fit open classes such as GT Cup GTO, subject to organiser approval.

**Who supports the car now that CRS is gone?** McLaren ended its CRS contract in 2017. After a High Court ruling in November 2018, McLaren took over aftersales support for the 12C GT3 and 650S GT3 itself. Contact McLaren Customer Racing or a McLaren motorsport retailer before buying to confirm parts availability for your chassis.

**How far can it run between rebuilds?** One seller quotes 10,000 km for the engine and 8,000 km for the transaxle before a teardown inspection. McLaren never published official figures. Ask for kilometres or hours since the last teardown, backed by invoices, and budget for a rebuild if the car is near either limit.

## Sources

- McLaren launches new GT3 racer — https://www.autosport.com/gt/news/114661/mclaren-launches-new-gt3-racer
- McLaren GT latest generation 650S GT3 at Goodwood — https://www.racecar.com/news/66636/motorsport/mclaren-gt-latest-generation-650s-gt3-at-goodwood
- 2014 McLaren 650S GT3 — https://www.conceptcarz.com/z24033/mclaren-650s-gt3.aspx
- Kirkaldy: McLaren We Can Fight For Victory — https://sportscar365.com/blancpain/bes/kirkaldy-mclaren-we-can-fight-for-victory/
- McLaren Unveils Its Latest Race-Ready 650S GT3 — https://hypebeast.com/2016/2/mclaren-650s-gt3-2016
- McLaren developing new 720S GT3 in-house — https://speedcafe.com/mclaren-developing-new-720s-gt3-house/
- McLaren wins court ruling against former GT partner CRS — https://sportscar365.com/?p=73385
- Xtrac gears up for another successful motorsport season — https://www.racecar.com/news/70924/motorsport/xtrac-gears-up-for-another-successful-motorsport-season
- Tekno McLaren wins Bathurst 12H — https://sportscar365.com/other-series/bathurst-12h/tekno-mclaren-wins-bathurst-12h/
- McLaren wins double Blancpain Endurance Cup title — https://www.racecar.com/news/83076/motorsport/mclaren-wins-double-blancpain-endurance-cup-title
- Pirelli World Challenge ends with a final-lap fight: Parente emerges champion — https://www.gtplanet.net/pirelli-world-challenge-ends-with-a-final-lap-fight-parente-emerges-champion-heitkotter-nabs-fifth/
- Black Bull Ecurie Ecosse GT3 duo hit by double blow — https://www.racecar.com/news/82080/motorsport/black-bull-ecurie-ecosse-gt3-duo-hit-by-double-blow
- 2015 McLaren 650S GT3 Serial Number 016 — https://www.thespeedjournal.com/?p=14543
- 2015 McLaren 650S GT3 #016 — https://ferraris-online.com/cars/2015-mclaren-650s-gt3-016/
- 2013 McLaren 650S GT3 (chassis 908) — https://www.p1groupe.com/inventory/2013-mclaren--650s-gt3
- 2013 McLaren 650S GT3 for sale — https://www.gotothegrid.com/en/ads/race-cars/gt/mclaren/for-sale/3000-2013-mclaren-650s-gt3
- Bring a Trailer 2025-10-20 McLaren 650S GT3 — https://www.theclassicvaluer.com/vehicle-details/bring-a-trailer-2025-10-20-mclaren-650s-d5b789
- Group GT3 — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Group_GT3
- Masters Endurance Legends 2 Eligibility List, 2026 edition — https://cms.mastershistoricracing.com/files/uploads/2026/03/masters-mel2-eligibility-list-2026.pdf
- GT Cup 2026 Season Guide — https://guide.gtcup.co.uk/11/
- 2013 McLaren 12C GT3 update — https://gtspirit.com/?p=62488
- McLaren 650S type archive — https://www.racingsportscars.com/type/McLaren/650S.html
- Garage 59 announce multi-car McLaren 650S GT3 Blancpain GT effort — https://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/11/20/garage-59-announce-multi-car-mclaren-650s-gt3-blancpain-gt-effort.html
- GT World Challenge Asia sporting regulations: eligible cars — https://asiaregs.sporting.gt-world-challenge.com/04.Eligible%20Cars/
- RacingCarNetwork search: 650S GT3 — https://racingcarnetwork.com/?s=650S+GT3

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