McLaren has marked the 25th anniversary of one of its most historically significant motorsport victories with a new special edition of its McLaren 720S supercar.
The commemorative 720S Le Mans edition features bespoke design elements that pay tribute to the F1 GTR endurance racer that took the chequered flag at La Sarthe on 18 June 1995, McLaren’s debut race with a production-based car.
Piloted by JJ Lehto, Yannick Dalmas and Masanori Sekiya, the number 59 car completed a total of 298 laps during the 24-hour race - one more than its closest rival. The achievement is referenced by the chassis numbers of each special edition car, which will begin with 298.
Just 50 examples of the special edition will be built in total, with 16 destined for Europe.
Additional bespoke features - alongside the new, retro-style five-spoke wheels - include commemorative badging to the side skirts, floor mats and headrests, a gloss black roof scoop, carbonfibre front louvres, gold-painted brake calipers and black contrasting body trim.
The special edition also wears a unique two-tone paint scheme in the same style as the 1995 GTR racers, comprising a Ueno Grey lower half and either McLaren Orange or Sarthe Grey on top.
Inside, buyers can specify orange or grey accents for the Alcantara upholstery, while carbonfibre racing seats, a colour-matching 12 o’clock steering wheel marker and build plaque are fitted as standard.
Further personalisation options are available through McLaren’s MSO division, including six-point race harnesses, extended shift paddles and exposed carbonfibre trim elements such as the rear diffuser, air intakes and roof scoop.
The 720S’s twin-turbocharged V8 is mechanically unaltered, meaning the Le Mans edition packs 710bhp for a 0-62mph time of 2.9sec and a top speed of 212mph.
Prices for the 720S Le Mans start from £254,000 - roughly £36,000 more than the standard car - with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in September.
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A tribute to a great machine, and a strange body color name.
But McLaren should not use the hospital's name on the body colour of this car.
They are a hospital that specializes in male genital foreskin surgery and other procedures.
5 spokes
Car designers take note, a set of simple 5 spoke wheels look so much better that all your diamond cut, polished, two colour, multi spoke designs.
All its missing are some go
All its missing are some go faster stripes, a dealer-fit pop up glass sunroof and some cheap plastic wheel trims.