There have been 106 models of McLaren F1, with those bearing the GTR badge being especially important. In honor of that win from 1995 McLaren Special Operations is building a new car. In 1995, McLaren not only took the podium at Le Mans, but took 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 13th places in the race as all five McLaren F1 GTRs in the race completed the grueling event and within the top 20 finishes overall.
So 50 special coupes, which will be available globally, will honor that win as a Special Operations edition of the McLaren 650S titled the Le Mans series. With the help of the designer of the F1, Peter Stevens, the Le Mans edition 650S is based on the #59 overall winner at that historic Le Mans race.
Noted easily by their roof-mounted snorkel intake, the 650S Le Mans uses the same 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 as the standard 650S, but with even better engine sound as the overhead snorkel pulls air. Front wing louvers add downforce on the front wheels, which themselves are an exclusive lightweight 19-inch motorsport design from the 1995 winner. The rear wheels feature a 20-inch diameter with the same design and all four wheels are clad in McLaren-developed Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires. Carbon fiber ceramic brakes are standard, in McLaren orange.
“The design of the McLaren F1 rewrote the rulebook. It was intended to offer the ultimate, no compromise road driving experience. The fact that it was transformed into a racer, and a race winner, was true testament to the strength and integrity of the original design, which is something I am very proud of,” said Stevens.
“With a mix of subtle design traits, the 650S Le Mans adds a modern twist by blending the iconic lines of the McLaren F1, and heritage features such as the wing louvres and the roof-mounted air intake, with groundbreaking technologies. It is a fantastic homage to that original design, and to the incredible race result achieved by the team in 1995 at one of the most difficult, and most challenging races in the world.”
Visual carbon fiber features throughout the limited edition model, including the front splitter and rear bumper. The limited edition coupes also feature MSO-developed extended side blades and the distinctive MSO rear diffuser. A splash of the famous McLaren Orange in the form of the ‘Le Mans’ logo adorns the wheels and the trailing edge of the extended MSO door blades, while an internal dedication plate on the door card identifies the limited nature of the model. The exterior color is Sarthe Grey, similar to the winning Le Mans racer.
The interior is swathed in black leather and Alcantara®, while a pair of sports seats are finished in black with contrasting McLaren Orange Alcantara® in the center. A Le Mans logo is embossed on the headrest of each seat, and on the unique floor mats, paying further homage to the anniversary.
