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Jeremy Walker

WHEN Bruce McLaren was killed while testing at Goodwood in 1970, with him went his dream of building ''the ultimate road-going sports car''.

 The foundations he had laid, however, ensured that the company he created not only survived but succeeded in setting new standards in world motor racing.

 And his dream has finally come true in the form of the McLaren F1, which presents Formula One technology in road-going form - a high-performance sports car dedicated to driving pleasure and capable of carrying three adults and their luggage in great comfort.

 There is a price to pay for this dream machine, though: GBP530,000, or around HK$6 million.

 When asked if the car provides value for money, McLaren's Ron Dennis does not attempt to answer the question. He prefers to concentrate on the aesthetic value of the car, which has a top speed of 235 miles per hour and will be on display at the Repulse Bay Hotel tomorrow and Tuesday.

 For those Hong Kong motoring millionaires interested in buying one of the 300 McLaren F1 models - and the manufacturers are already well into the 1995 production quota - there will be a test-drive and demonstration at Sek Kong on Wednesday.

 Dennis, managing director of the Surrey-based McLaren International Limited and the mastermind behind 104 Formula One victories, arrives in the territory tomorrow, accompanied by the F1's widely acclaimed designer, Gordon Murray.

 ''It is hard to comprehend any car being worth GBP1/2 million-plus,'' admits Dennis.

 ''But we truly believe it is a piece of engineering art; as you immerse yourself in it you understand exactly about the beauty of its engineering perfection.''  The first of the 300 McLaren F1 cars will be supplied in January and the 35 to be produced in 1994 have all been sold.

 ''The car that is coming to Hong Kong will be the fifth of five pre-production vehicles we have been working on over the past five years.

 ''It has been in Japan, where it has been used for some television commercials, and is the car we have been using on what we call our Asian tour.

 ''Prior to the car leaving for Asia we had sold the complete '94 production and are well into '95.

 ''In 1994 and 1995, production will be about 35 a year. That will go up in subsequent years to a maximum of 50, taking in a degree of evolution along the way, but by and large they will be the same at the end as they were at the beginning.''  So, apart from a lot of stares from the public, what do you get for your $6 million?  The McLaren F1 is designed to be the world's first production car to feature:   Carbon fibre-composite monocoque chassis and body.

 One plus two seating with central driving position.

 Fan-assisted ground-effect aerodynamics.

 And electronically controlled brake cooling.

 The F1 is powered by a new purpose-built 6.1-litre V12 BMW Motorsport engine, which produces in excess of 627 bhp.

 Each owner will be invited to the McLaren car factory in England for a personal fitting of the driver's seat, which is positioned in the middle rather than to the right or left. The two passenger seats are slightly behind and either side of the driver's seat.

 The steering wheel and foot pedal positions will also be specially shaped and tailored to the individual driver, while each owner will be invited to take a course at a high-performance driving school in the United Kingdom.

 ''It reflects a purism that is primarily focused on returning the driving pleasure to the driver.

 ''We have paid great attention to sound-proofing and the car is quite quiet, with very high levels of visibility and a feeling that normally comes in Formula One cars.

 ''If abused it could put you at risk,'' says Dennis.

 ''But it is a very safe car if understood. It is designed to be extremely driveable at low speeds, whereas others are uncomfortable because of the firmness of the suspension and the response of the engine.

 ''You can drive this one in sixth gear from 20 mph to 235 mph without changing gear. It is very tractable.''  McLaren, however, are not prepared to reveal the names of the customers.

 ''We respect the privacy of the customers,'' says Dennis. ''But there are certain people in this world who love high-speed vehicles.''  McLaren, who have won six Formula One constructors' titles in the past eight years and seven world drivers' championships all told, are confident their light, futuristic design will be a big success throughout production.

 And they are putting together a feasibility study on a production car with higher volume and at a lower price.

 ''Obviously it would come more towards the normal price scene on exotic cars and if we go forward it will be three to four years at the earliest before a production vehicle would be in the developing stages and five or six years before it went to the customers.

 ''It is just one of a number of projects we are working on with a view to the long-term future.'' 



McLaren's dream machine yours for a mere $6 million