McLaren Elva, a limited Formula 1 created for the streets

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In August of this year, we tell you about the fourth model in the McLaren Ultimate range, a curious and radical two-seater. Today that two-seater materializes in the new McLaren Elva, a tribute to the first track sports cars manufactured by McLaren to compete in Group 7.

A trip to the past

Will Elva ask you? Elva, a nice contraction of "Elle va" (there goes, in French), is the name of a workshop founded in 1955 by Frank Nichols. This factory had as its north to make low-cost sports cars, accessible and ready to compete, but along the way, they became associated with major brands. When Bruce McLaren wanted to compete in Group 7 races, the team relied on an Elva chassis equipped with an Oldsmobile engine, which would mark the birth of the McLaren-Elva M1, a model that evolved until it was succeeded by the M3 in 1966 when Group 7 gave way to the Can Am competitions.

That two-seater, light and powerful, was the first of a long tradition of competition models, regardless of what McLaren's cars are today and of course, there is a direct link to the values that the Woking firm incorporates in Your models

When the M1A, made of resin and weighing just over 550 kilos, ran in the Canadian Grand Prix of sports cars (where the Can Am Challenge came from) during 1964, it was not the winner, it came third, but it was the fastest car on the track, breaking the lap record several times. The impact was such that Elva ended up taking McLaren's outsourced production to create M1A replicas, since, at that time, McLaren had only seven employees and there were many interested in running with the new car.

The M1A, as we noted, gave rise to other models, which if they won the Can Am competitions five consecutive times, between 1967 and 1971.

Back to the Future

The Elva, front and back looks quite like the current models of the brand, taking winks from 675 LT. Of course, it is definitely a very distant car from the brand's Sport or Super Series. Powered by a four-liter V8 with double turbocharger (815 Hp and 590 Lb-ft), very similar to the one worn by the McLaren Senna, the Elva postulates a two-seater body, carbon fiber, roofless, without windshield (well, there is an option, but it is rather precarious) and without side windows, all to offer the most lively experience and closer to what happened in those times. On the back, the two headlands and two air intakes stand out on the rear dashboards, which contrast dramatically with a contrast crease that seems to give the illusion that the waist of the car was very low. These folds coordinate with the enveloping forms of the front, which is combined in a highly impressive design.

Very important in the Elva and that is a nod to the original, it is an air intake located immediately at the top of the tube. This, in this case, is part of the innovative Active Air Management System, which, thanks to an active deflector, channels air from the nose of the car to the grill. This is only to generate an air bubble in the aerodynamic flow, which allows driving at high speeds without the turbulence of the air in our face.

Other prospects of this car are its multiple internal channels to cool the engine or to improve air flow, which is the reason why the Elva has no more ailerons than a discreet active spoiler, full width, which allows to add aerodynamic load , as well as helping to brake the car. Even the ground is completely flat, appealing to its sporting roots.

The interior is an experience, since technically it is a joint interaction with the outside. The exposure is total thanks to how the contours of the doors flow inwards. Even so, McLaren wants you to feel welcome and for the same reason, they have been very concerned about the chosen materials and ergonomics. The seats are customizable in their color configuration and you can provide them with a 6-point harness, this for believers that cars should not be collectibles, but rather engineering pieces to enjoy on the track.

All the dynamic functions of the car are integrated in the digital instrument cluster. In fact, the selectable knobs are at hand so you just have to slide your fingers over the change selector paddles. To the side, there is another 8 "screen mounted on a carbon fiber arm, for everything that is telemetry, climate control and backup camera. The audio system is not standard, but is offered as an option. The back cover hides spaces for two helmets, but leaves visible two holes that expose the air filters.

Personalization is key in this segment of cars, especially when you will only do 399 units. Therefore, synthetic suede, leather, translucent and dyed carbon fiber, or with metal inserts, as well as gold or platinum badges worked from the inclusion of carbon fiber scales, are part of the list.

The development of the Elva seems to have no limits. From the doors and the exposed carbon fiber floor, the one-piece hinges, the exhaust system made of titanium and Inconel. racing brakes, based on carbon-ceramic discs, up to the steering system with electro-hydraulic assistance, active suspension and driving modes guaranteed by stability control and variable drift control (yes, that's what it's called) , justify its high price of USD $ 1,690,000.