Two new McLaren supercars, the 675LT and the 570S, were launched as part of the race weekend activities on the island, at an event staged at the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa.
The GREAT Advanced Engineering and Innovation gathering showcased the latest cutting-edge British technology including eye-tracking devices being developed by BAE Systems, which have been designed to read human eye movements to help pilots of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft make the right decisions rapidly and improve safety.
The technology could potentially have applications in a Formula One racing cockpit in the future.
But all eyes were on the McLaren 675LT which will be one of only 500 produced. It features a 666bhp engine that can hit 100kmph in 2.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 330kmph.
The 570S Coupe, also fitted with a mid-mounted engine and a carbon-fibre chassis, has a rear wheel drive layout. It can reach 100kmph in 3.2 seconds and boasts a top speed of 328kmph.
Both cars are now available for ordering, with the 675LT being delivered in late autumn and the 570S early next year.
Thomas Pryor, McLaren Automotive’s marketing manager for the MENA region, said: “There has been unprecedented interest and we believe that both models will be imminently sold out.
“There are around 35 McLaren cars in Bahrain and that will increase by another 50 to 60 per cent with the introduction of these new cars.”
The vehicles were unveiled by British ambassador Iain Lindsay and Sheikh Ghassan Al Sulaiman, president of Bahrain’s official McLaren distributor, Al Ghassan Motors.