THE most powerful and exclusive McLaren model to date is bang on course to make its global debut in production form at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The past few months has seen the track-only model's development programme stepped up with the limited edition P1 GTR being put through its paces across Europe and the Middle East.

Production is due to start later this year along with the launch of a bespoke driver programme and as testing continues, the flyer looks set to be one of the fastest to ever wear the famous McLaren ‘speed mark'.

Through significant weight-saving measures and track-optimisation of the petrol-electric powertrain, the P1 GTR will boast a power-to-weight ratio increase in excess of 10 per cent over the road-going model, to more than 700PS per tonne.

It has been achieved using motorsport-derived technology and expertise, with the track-only model completing thousands of kilometres of extreme testing at several UK and European locations, as well as a testing schedule in the extreme heat of Bahrain and Qatar.

With chief test driver Chris Goodwin at the wheel the tests have pushed the performance of the car to its limits, and have been designed to further enhance cooling and aerodynamics over the design concept previewed in California last summer.

McLaren says the development programme will continue at a ‘relentless pace' to further tune the performance, aerodynamics, driving dynamics and handling balance to ensure the car lives up to the GTR title made famous by the 24 Hours of Le Mans-winner 20 years ago.