In 2020, McLaren dramatically rekindled the spirit of its seminal F1 supercar with the launch of the futuristic Speedtail, an exclusive machine at the leading edge of 21st-century hypercar performance that, like its predecessor, was limited to only 106 units.

As with the F1, the Speedtail is built around a lightweight carbon-fiber tub and features the same three-person seating configuration, with the driver in the center, as well as vertical dihedral doors.

The similarities are clear, but advances in technology over the past three decades abound.

This is particularly true of the Speedtail’s exhilarating hybrid powertrain.

The 723-horsepower 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 is a thoughtful evolution of the McLaren P1’s engine, featuring a revised piston design and enhanced cylinder-head cooling.

The Speedtail’s electric motor and battery, meanwhile, were both developed by McLaren’s Formula E technology group.

The motor smooths out power delivery at low engine speeds, providing an a...