Engine Developments Ltd’s Judd V10 has a new lease of life. This is as the power plant for McLaren Cars’ recently announced Solus, a track-only fully enclosed mid engined single seater inspired by a video game’s virtual racer. Characterised by wheel pods and a cockpit canopy that slides forwards for access to its central seat, the Solus is a 25-off model and all examples have been pre-sold, with deliveries being made in 2023.

Weighing 1000 kg, the Solus is a ground effect car developing 1200 kg downforce at 150 mph and having a top speed of over 200 mph. That is made possible by a 5.2 litre version of the Judd GV that according to McLaren produces in excess of 840 ps (829 bhp) and 650 Nm torque. The engine is used as a fully stressed member of the chassis slotting between a carbon fibre monocoque and a Le Mans Prototype-derived seven-speed, sequential change structural gearbox.

The Judd GV was originally a 72 degree bank angle, 94 mm bore, naturally aspirated 3.5 litre Formula One V10. When Group C adopted the same formula Mazda used an endurance version at Le Mans to claim fourth in 1992. Since then ever longer stroke versions have been developed as air restricted Le Mans engines, first at 4.0 litres, then 5.0 litres then 5.5 litres.

The 5.0 litre version powered Pescarolo to second at Le Mans in 2006. This introduced updated, lighter ‘S2’ cylinder heads with a 14 degree rather than 19 degree included valve angle and barrel rather than slide throttles. The subsequent GV5.5 married the 94 mm bore to a 79.2 mm stroke for 5496 cc and with that the red line was reduced from 9500 rpm to 9000 rpm.

Air restricted, the GV5.5 produced 660 Nm torque and 630 bhp at 7000 rpm. It powered Pescarolo to third at Le Mans in 2007. Subsequently the GV4 was used in the BOSS single seater series and that in turn led to a 4.2 litre version for 2013, which ran to over 11,000 rpm and in unrestricted guise made in excess of 750 bhp.

The 5.2 litre litre version developed for the Solus allows McLaren to claim a bespoke crankshaft and displacement along with bespoke air intake and exhaust systems to suit its car.