McLaren Automotive has unviled their new Ultimate Series roadster, the Elva. It is the company’s first open-cockpit roadgoing car. Only 399 units will be built. It is the lightest road car ever offered by McLaren and is designed to deliver the ultimtae driver engagement and driving experience. The Elva does not have a roof, windshield or side or rear windows. The McLaren Active Air Management System (AAMS) is a world-first and is designed to shelter occupants by manipulating air flow. Use of a helmet is optional. A fixed windshield version will also be availalbe.

“Our mission with the McLaren Elva was to create an open-cockpit, two-seat roadster that delivers the most elemental of driving experiences,” said Rob Melville, Design Director, McLaren Automotive. ‘Formula 1-inspired shrink-wrapped volumes create a technical sculpture that is as striking as it is remarkable, the exterior flowing into the interior in a stunning example of a new and unique McLaren ‘blurred boundaries’ design principle that has allowed us to seamlessly bring the outside in, to further enhance driver engagement while remaining true to our philosophy of making no compromises.”

Powered by an 804 hp 4.0 litre twin-turbocharged V8, the lighweight Elva will accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 3 seconds. It is quicker to 200 km/h (124 mph) than the McLaren Senna, at just 6.7 seconds.

All of this extreme open air fun and performance comes at a price. Including Value Added Tax (VAT), the UK price is set at £1,425,000 or the equivilant of $1.83 million US dollars.

“McLaren continues to push the boundaries of supercar and hypercar development in pursuit of outstanding and unparalleled driving experiences for our customers and the McLaren Elva epitomises that pioneering spirit,” said Mike Flewitt, CEO, McLaren Automotive. “The McLaren-Elva M1A [Mk1] and its successors are in many ways the true spiritual forerunners of today’s McLarens – superlight, mid-engined cars with the highest levels of performance and dynamic excellence. It’s fitting that the new McLaren Ultimate Series roadster – a uniquely modern car that delivers the ultimate connection between driver, car and the elements and with that new heights of driving pleasure on road or track – acknowledges our rich heritage with the Elva name.”

The Elva name celebrates the Bruce McLaren-designed M1A and McLaren-Elva M1A [Mk I], M1B [Mk II] and M1C [Mk III] of the 1960s. Produced as ‘customer’ versions of the Group 7 McLaren race cars, the McLaren-Elva embodied many of the pioneering design and engineering principles incorporated in the McLaren road cars produced today.

“We are delighted to have gained the rights to the Elva name for an extraordinary new roadster that adds a new dimension to the McLaren Ultimate Series while tracing its lineage back to the sportscars that laid the foundations for McLaren’s success,” continued Mike Flewitt. “The McLaren-Elva M1A [Mk I] and its immediate successors not only set standards on the track but also established the pioneering design and engineering principles that remain at the heart of our brand; what better way to celebrate that than by bringing the Elva name right up to date.”

Accessed through the Adaptive Dynamics Controls, the Comfort, Sport and Track modes for the Handling and Powertrain change the driving characteristics to suit driver mood or environment. The level of available wheelspin and oversteer can be adjusted with three Electronic Stability Control (ESC) modes or utilise Variable Drift Control (VDC). Unique to McLaren. Track-focused Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires are available as a no-cost option.

“The McLaren Elva is a true Ultimate roadster; it exists purely for the pleasure of driving, to deliver an enthralling and immersive experience born from the ultimate connection between the car, the driver and the elements,” said Andy Palmer, Vehicle Line Director – Ultimate Series, McLaren Automotive. “The lightest road car we’ve ever built at McLaren Automotive, the Elva is incredibly agile and ferociously fast, its 815PS twin-turbocharged V8 engine providing breathtaking performance that heightens every sense. “

Customer deliveries of the McLaren Elva are scheduled to begin towards the end of 2020.