When McLaren unveiled its MP4-X protoype in 2015 it attracted huge applause from Formula 1 fans who loved the futuristic styling, as well as the enclosed cockpit which does away with the unpopular Halo head protection device.
The British F1 team has revisited its concept, which previously sported a black and red livery as per the team's colours at the time. In this version, the 'X2' comes in McLaren's famous Papaya orange with hints of blue, again mirroring their present livery on the MCL33.
Although regarded as a far-out concept developed by McLaren's technology arm, the X2 features some interesting ideas McLaren believes could become a reality, such as an energy storage system that's built into the skin of the car, using ultra thin batteries fully integrated into the crash structure, storing energy from the hybrid and solar systems.
Other ideas include surface-mounted solar cells as a regenerative energy source and a brain-controlled control system which would allow the driver to control certain parts of the car through thought alone.
These ideas are unlikely to make Liberty Media's shortlist of proposals for 2021's major overhaul, but some more realistic ideas are also included in the X2, such as active aero and a powerful ground effect floor which does away with the need for complex upper surfaces to create downforce, reducing the amount of 'dirty' air coming off the car which is a major barrier to overtaking.
