McLaren has unveiled its wild two-seat Elva roadster to commemorate the Bruce McLaren-designed McLaren-Elva sports car from the 1960s.

Like the McLaren P1, Senna and upcoming Speedtail Super Series, the Elva will be built in limited numbers (399) and comes with an eye-watering price tag of £1.425m (A$2.68m)!

Its exclusivity is further enhanced with each example set to be individually configured via McLaren Special Operations.

Its sleek body is constructed of carbon fibre along with its bespoke chassis, making the Elva the lightest road car ever from McLaren.

Power comes from a twin-turbo 4.0-litre dry-sumped, flat-place V8 producing 600kW and 800Nm of torque. It’s hooked up to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that will sling shot the supercar to 100km/h in under 3.0 seconds with launch control, and 200km/h in a mere 6.7 seconds.

With the absence of roof, windscreen and windows, McLaren says the Elva’s driver engagement is ‘unparalleled’. To shelter its occupants, McLaren has introduced its world-first McLaren Active Air Management System (AAMS) that manipulates air flow while retaining their connection to the elements. Nevertheless, a fixed windscreen is available.

Other highlights include bespoke carbon seats, titanium pistons in the calipers and sintered brake discs, which are much stronger than even carbon ceramic discs, enabling them to be smaller to reduce weight.

At the back, the innovative Inconel and titanium quad-exit exhaust not only delivers a unique soundtrack, but also enhances engine power by reducing back pressure.

McLaren is one of the last manufacturers to persist with hydraulic steering to give the Elva extra connection. It’s clever hydraulically-interlinked dampers keep body roll in check while providing a remarkably compliant ride.

The Elva also features extensive active aero, including a rear airbrake to aid braking stability, while the cabin is upholstered in a mixture of weather-resistant leather and a new breathable synthetic material Ultrafabric.

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You know something is special about a car when it fetches a record US$19,805,000 (A$29,273,275) at RM Sotheby’s auction at the Monterey Car Week. That’s exactly what this striking McLaren F1 commands.

So, what so special about it? Let’s start with some history.

Following the F1’s Le Mans victory in 1995, McLaren built five commemorative cars dubbed the F1 LM, packing a high-downforce kit and an unrestricted version of the BMW-sourced 6.1-litre aspirated V12 with 507kW (680hp) and 705Nm of torque.

By the end of the F1’s production run in 1997, Woking has produced 106 units of the F1, including 64 production road cars, 28 F1 GTR race cars, five F1 LMs, two F1 GTs and seven prototype and development cars.

The company also converted two regular F1s to LM specification, one of which is the car you see here sporting chassis #018.

It originally rolled off the Woking production line in 1994 as a regular F1 painted in Midnight Blue Pear and black interior. It was then sent back to the factory by its second owner, where it received the LM-spec modifications.

The two-year process saw the installation of the high-downforce kit, a transmission cooler, two additional radiators, a modified exhaust system and race-spec dampers and springs which were adjusted to their softest setting for a more compliant ride.

The car’s air-conditioning system was also upgraded, a radio was added to the CD player and the headlamps were converted to gas-discharge units.

The extensive overhaul also included a Platinum Silver Metallic paintjob and towering rear wing, while the interior was re-trimmed with cream leather along with beige and brown Alcantara, cream Wilton carpets, and a beige Alcantara headliner.

Finally, the stock 17-inch wheels were swapped for 18-inch GTR units with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.

So, while not a true F1 LM, the F1 LM-Specification offers a similar level of performance as the ultra-rare limited edition model and helps explain the eye-watering price it sold for.

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McLaren Automotive has revealed its hotly-anticipated GT – a new addition to the company’s range aimed at being softer and plusher than its current crop of racy mid-engined supercars. 

Aimed at taking on established players in the GT segment including the Aston Martin DB11 and Bentley Continental GT, McLaren’s GT bucks the norm of having the engine up front  by retaining a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive layout familiar among the rest of the company’s range.

That engine in the middle should be a good one, however. It’s the larger 4.0-litre version of the company’s familiar V8 with a new, smaller set of turbochargers strapped to it to improve responsiveness at lower revs, along with a revised exhaust system to give it a deeper tone. While 456kW is on tap at a high 7,500rpm and peak torque of 630Nm doesn’t arrive until 5,500rpm, 95 per cent of that torque is available from just 3,500rpm.

Thanks to that power and its low weight by GT-car standards of 1,530kg, 0-100km/h is done in 3.2 seconds, while 0-200km/h is dusted in 9.0-seconds, and it’ll push on to a top speed of 326km/h.

All of that is still very supercar-like so far, as is the fact it’s built around a carbon-fibre tub and only offers two seats, rather than adopting the 2+2 layout of some other Grand Tourers, but what’s less supercar-like about it – and less McLaren-like – is the plush cabin and the amount of storage space.

In the back of the car, the storage space over the top of the engine cover has been enlarged over that of previous models such as the 570GT to a sizeable 420 litres – rivalling or even beating that of many hatchbacks – while there’s still another 150 litres of luggage space at the front, amounting to 570 litres in total. Additionally, the rear hatch is available with power operation, which is a first for a McLaren.

More attention has been paid to the cabin materials, too, with Nappa leather as standard and even softer grains available optionally, along with cashmere seat trim for a vegan-friendly option. There’s more Alcantara-clad trim pieces as well to hide the majority of the carbon-fibre work, although some is still visible.

Adding to the upgraded materials, the rear luggage space will be able to be lined with a new ‘SuperFabric’ that’s extra tough and aimed at those who plan to regularly carry loads in their car.

Also on the inside, a new 12.3-inch portrait-oriented infotainment screen is fitted that runs a newer, faster operating system than that seen in the company’s other models.

To help make the driving experience more plush to the degree expected in a GT, extensive sound insulation has been used to supposedly make the car 4dB quieter in the cabin than the benchmarked DB11 V12.

Furthermore, while it lacks the hydraulic dampers of the 720S, it does offer active shock absorbers with what McLaren dubs its Proactive Damping Control system that allows it to adapt to different road surface conditions within just 2 milliseconds.

For Australian buyers, the GT is available to order now. Although exact delivery dates are up in the air, you can expect them to start hitting our shores late this year or very early next.

Australian pricing and exact specification details are yet to be announced, although pricing in other markets is indicating it will be roughly on-par with that of the 570S, meaning somewhere near the $400,000 mark.

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McLaren has begun to tease its upcoming Grand Tourer, which has been rather creatively dubbed the GT, ahead of its official unveiling planned for next week. 

The all-new model is slated to be simply an addition to the McLaren lineup, rather than a replacement for any of its existing supercars, with the intention of it being to mix some of the supercar elements that the company has finessed into a traditional mile-munching GT car.

Intended to be a rival to its fellow Brits the Aston Martin DB11 and the Bentley Continental GT, the new McLaren GT is set to feature an iteration of the company’s familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 similar to that found in the 720S mounted in the middle of its carbon-fibre tub.

And yes, eschewing the GT car norm, McLaren’s latest offering is set to be mid-engined, rather than front-engined. Unusual though it may be, McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt has full confidence in the typically supercar-esque setup, as when speaking to Top Gear earlier in the year, he claimed that “when you drive it, I guarantee you won’t wish the engine was in the front. It’s not a cut-down saloon car.”

Further claims about the new model include that it will weight in at less than 1,500kg – a significant reduction over its competitors thanks to its carbon tub – and that around 70 per cent of the car will be brand new and model-specific, including every external body panel.

Not a lot more is known about the McLaren GT at this stage, although the company has released a teaser image of the rear of the car seen at the top of this article, along with a teaser video which we have included below, along with a couple of screenshots from it.

Keen McLaren fans will note that the upcoming GT won’t exactly be the first time the company has built a Grand Tourer, as it was jointly involved in the development of and made responsible for building the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren between 2003-10, although this is the first time they’ll be going it alone, of course.

McLaren’s official reveal for its new GT is currently slated for next week on Wednesday May 15 at 1pm BST, equating to 10pm AEST.

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McLaren has revealed a track-only version of its flagship Senna – the Senna GTR – which gains more power and a wider, more aggressive body to the road-going version.

Powered by the same basic 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 seen in the rest of the company’s line-up, a tweaked ECU and removal of its secondary catalytic converters is responsible for its power now being increased to 607kW and 800Nm. The same seven-speed dual-clutch transmission channels that power to the rear wheels alone.

Compared to the standard Senna, the GTR’s track is widened significantly – 77mm wider at the front, 68mm at the rear – and sports a far wider body to match. Additionally, its overall height has been reduced by 34mm, taking it to 1,195mm, thanks to its lowered suspension.

Furthermore, the GTR gains a far more aggressive aero package with a noticeably enlarged front splitter, rear wing, and rear diffuser. According to McLaren’s claims, it can produce as much as one tonne of downforce at 250km/h – 200kg more than the road-legal Senna – and as much as 3g in deceleration when on the brakes, a 20 per cent improvement.

Being a track-only model, features such as a roll cage, a fire extinguisher, pneumatic air jacks, a pit radio, pit lane speed control, and a data logger have been fitted. Furthermore, the airbags, stereo, infotainment system, and handbrake have been removed and the side glass has been replaced with lighter plexiglass to help reduce its dry weight by 10kg over the road car, dropping it to 1,188kg.

Somewhat questionably, air conditioning is standard for the GTR, although a passenger seat is optional. However, adjustable anti-lock brakes, brake pad wear monitors, tyre pressure monitors, stability control, an anti-collision radar, active aero features, and staggered 19-inch centre-locking alloy wheels shod in slick Pirelli rubber are all standard.

Despite being built exclusively for the track, the GTR is not compliant with GT3 regulations. However, despite this and the fact that it isn’t road-legal, McLaren clearly hasn’t had any issue selling the GTR, with all 75 examples set to be produced having been accounted for already for the pricey sum of £1.1 million (A$2.1 million) a piece.

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McLaren has unveiled its new 600LT Spider, with the limited production drop-top becoming just the fifth model to wear the Longtail name. 

The primary focus for the Spider has been on saving weight to counter the inevitably heavier mass that comes from introducing a retractable roof, with McLaren citing a 1,297kg kerb weight that’s only 50kg heavier than the 600LT Coupe on which it’s based and 150kg lighter than the 570S Spider.

Helping to keep the weight down include items such as carbon-fibre racing seats, interior trim, and wheel arch louvres, along with even minor items such as titanium wheel bolts.

Those really wanting to go the extra mile to shave off a few extra kilos can even go to the extent of deleting the car’s audio system and air conditioning, although we’d suggest a gym membership to be a viable and perhaps more sensible alternative.

The majority of its carbon-fibre body is shared with the hard-top introduced last year, along with its fixed rear wing, retuned steering, and standard Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tyres.

While the 600LT Spider shares the same 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 – and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission – as the coupe, a shorter exhaust system, upgraded cooling system, and retuned ECU has helped squeeze an additional 20Nm out of it, bringing the total torque output up to 620Nm. Power remains the same as the coupe at 441kW.

Despite the additional weight, the Spider is still able to match the hard-top’s 2.9 second 0-100km/h sprint time, while the 0-200km/h sprint takes just two-tenths longer at 8.4 seconds. Top speed is cited as 324km/h with the top up, and 315km/h with it down.

Although production numbers are claimed to be limited, no official count has been announced. Australian pricing is also yet to be announced, although it is listed at £201,500 in its home market of the UK, equating to just shy of A$362,000.

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The McLaren P1 is undoubtedly a modern automotive engineering masterpiece. But this particular P1 is even more special, as it’s not just any one of those 375 examples that rolled off McLaren’s production line, this is Jenson Button’s P1. And it’s up for sale with just 887 km on the clock.

Yup, for a ‘mere’ £1.6 million (A$2.9M at current exchange rates), Button’s P1 could become your P1. The Formula 1 Champion put the hypercar up for sale on Instagram, saying: “I’ve decided to put my McLaren P1 up for sale so that someone else can enjoy her. It’s a tough decision but living in America I don’t really get the chance to drive this beauty,” he said. “I did give her a final blast up to Silverstone for WEC last month though!”

One of the rarest and fastest supercars on the planet, the P1 is powered by a twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 engine producing 542 kW (737 hp) at 7,500 rpm and 720 Nm of torque from 4,000 rpm. This is combined with an electric motor adding an extra 132 kW (179 hp) and 260Nm of torque. In total, the McLaren P1 has a combined power output of 674 kW (916 hp) and 900 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 7-speed twin-clutch Graziano gearbox, enabling a 0 to 100km/h sprint time of just 2.8 seconds, en route to a limited top speed of 350km/h.

Button’s bespoke P1 beautifully is finished in Grauschwartz Grey paint with Stealth Pack and MSO grey/black Alcantara interior. Other customised options include Carbon Fibre Door Mirrors and Arms, Lightweight Forged Wheels, TPMS, Carbon Ceramic Brakes with yellow Calipers, Alcantara Dashboard/Door Inserts/Sunvisors, Cadmium Yellow Contrast Stitching, Meridian Sound System, Vehicle Tracking System, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, and the MSO “Track Mode 2” option which is a £20,000 (A$35,500) option that gives the P1 the ability to enter into a road-legal version of “Race Mode.”

Button moved to Los Angeles last year after retiring from Grand Prix racing. Along with purchasing a £5 million sprawling five-bedroom pad, the British racing driver also took delivery of a brand-new McLaren 675LT, which is spec’ed similarly to his P1.

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McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has unveiled a unique 600LT created for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance event where it will make its public debut on August 26. 

This particular example of the already exclusive 570S-based extended-wheelbase weapon, which is officially referred to as the McLaren 600LT in Stealth Grey by MSO, features a number of bespoke options from McLaren’s in-house customisation division that add up to transform the already handsome 600LT into the stunner you see here.

As its official title implies, the car is finished in Stealth Grey paint which is complimented by a Matte Black and McLaren Orange exterior pack, along with an F1 Longtail-inspired carbon-fibre roof scoop and plenty of other carbon lashings on the wing mirrors, front splitter, rear bumper, rear deck lid, and the quarter panel louvres.

The interior has been kitted out too, with the ‘Super-Lightweight’ bucket seats lifted straight from the Senna, six-point racing harnesses to hold occupants firmly in those seats, and more carbon fibre highlights and orange stitching to continue the visual theme set by the exterior.

Furthermore, the 600LT model designation is embroidered onto the headrests, there’s a set of hand-painted keys, and Pebble Beach badging on the centre console all to set it further apart from the normal 600LT.

Performance-wise, however, its drivetrain remains unchanged, meaning you’ll still find a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 behind the rear seats producing 441kW and 620Nm, which makes the 0-100km/h sprint achievable in a claimed 2.9 seconds.

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McLaren’s 570S has been given the ‘Longtail’ treatment to create the 600LT, which is the fastest model yet in the company’s Sports Series range.

As the name implies, the new car is longer than the 570S on which it is based – with the rear bodywork adding 74mm to the car’s length – as well as being lighter and more powerful.

Utilising the same 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 as the 570S – and, for that matter, all of McLaren’s other current models – the 600LT sees power boosted to 441kW and 600Nm, up 22kW and 20Nm on the 570S.

No official 0-100km/h figure has been cited yet by McLaren, but expect it to best the 570S’ spritely 3.2 second sprint by a few tenths.

The 600LT also sees 96kg being shaved off, despite its larger size, due to more extensive use of carbon-fibre for its bodywork, as well as for the seats which are the same as those originally fitted to the P1.

There’s also a new, shorter exhaust system that also aids in cutting weight, with a secondary purpose of reducing backpressure, too.

Revised double wishbone suspension, a lightweight braking system, stickier Pirelli Trofeo R tyres, firmer engine mounts, and a quicker steering rack round out the package and tie it all together.

A host of options from the McLaren Special Operations division have been confirmed too, with further weight-saving measures available including a carbon-fibre roof and front wings, along with even lighter seats.

There’s no word yet on whether the 600LT will be making its way down under, or what it would cost were it to.

Production of the 600LT begins this October and will be limited to running for just one year.

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McLaren is offering yet another option for the Sports Series convertible range with the addition of new Design Edition specifications for the 570S Spider.

Five McLaren 570S Spider Design Editions are available to order now, each offering a different but harmonious theme based around signature McLaren colour and trim options. The British super car maker claims each model has been carefully curated by the company’s designers, ensuring that the colours, materials and finishes complement each other to perfection.

“There is a virtually limitless number of different personalisation opportunities for the McLaren 570S Spider and who better to begin the process than the people who designed it?” commented McLaren Automotive Design Director, Rob Melville. “We have selected key exterior and interior colours and finishes that we believe showcase the 570S Spider in the most desirable way and are offering them as Design Editions that we as designers would choose.”

The five new Design Editions follow the success of a Design Edition range for the 570S Coupé. As with the Coupé, the 570S Spider Design Editions offer a financial benefit over specifying the options separately. Customers can select additional features beyond the Design Edition content – such as carbon-fibre interior upgrades or exterior components – to further personalise their new purchase.

Each of the five Editions is based around a special body paint – Silica White, Storm Grey, Vermillion Red, Onyx Black or Vega Blue – with each matched to an interior scheme from the By McLaren Designer range, four sporting and one with a more luxury accent. Wheel finish, brake caliper colour and branding and finish of the Spider’s electrically retractable two-piece hard-top are also all selected by McLaren designers to deliver the most visually balanced and pleasing result.

McLaren 570S Spider Design Edition 4, as illustrated in the accompanying images, is an Onyx Black car. The retractable hard-top is in body colour, the 10-spoke forged alloy wheels feature a Stealth finish and the brake calipers are in McLaren Orange with black printed McLaren logos. The interior comprises Carbon Black Alcantara, McLaren Orange nappa leather, McLaren Orange perforated nappa leather seats with contrasting stitching, colour co-ordinated steering wheel and a McLaren branded leather sill finisher.

The four other Design Editions are equally striking, all displaying very different personalities, but all showing the 570S Spider’s athletic, shrink-wrapped body and inviting open-top cabin in the most alluring way.

The Design Edition joins the recently-announced 570S Spider Track Pack, with its emphasis on lightweight options including carbon-fibre race seats, in the Sports Series line-up.

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