- McLaren pays tribute to its first victory and the first F1 GTR victory in 1995 Le Mans with a limited edition of 50 units over the 720S
In the late 1980s, Gordon Murray, a McLaren engineer, was killing time in the best way he could think of, sketching a supercar that he sarcasticly called the Ferrari F40 as McLaren F1. What started as a hobby to fill in idle hours was taking shape, the ball began to get bigger until a real project was conceived, a project that served to give life to one of the most iconic supercars in the history of the motor.
The McLaren F1 began to reach its very limited owners in 1992 and already by then, both McLaren itself and the owners of F1 realized that they were facing a vehicle that would mark an era, and that is that in its rear, in a Cradle of gold that served to isolate the cabin from the heat radiated by the engine, was an atmospheric V12 of BMW origin of 6,100 CC that delivers 634 HP of power, something that had to be managed to keep under control relying solely on the set-up of factory and driver’s expertise, because it did not have any type of control or assistance to make driving easier.
Despite this, the McLaren F1 was a vehicle created to eat the asphalt of any circuit, hence many teams urged the English manufacturer to create a version with racing specifications to compete in the newly created GT1 category, which meant in 1995 the birth of the McLaren F1 GTR. He participated in numerous races in different championships achieving a great number of victories, poles and constructors’ championships, but without a doubt, the most remembered will be 1995 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with JJ Lehto, Yannick Dalmas and Masanori Sekiya aboard the F1 GTR number 59, which meant McLaren’s first victory in the famous race and the confirmation that McLaren F1 was ahead of its time.
This year 2020 marks 25 years of this feat achieved by the McLaren F1 GTR # 59 and the rest of the units that crossed the finish line of the La Sarthe circuit, that’s why the English manufacturer wanted to pay him a well-deserved tribute by creating an exclusive limited edition on the McLaren 720S called Le Mans. For this special edition, limited to 50 units worldwide, of which only 16 will be for Europe, the 720S will nod to the McLaren F1 with details very well brought, especially on the outside.
For the McLaren 720S Le Mans you will be able to choose between the McLaren Orange or Sarthe Gray colors, which regardless of the chosen one will be combined with the Ueno Gray color that is applied to the lower parts of the front and rear bumpers. To add a little contrast there will be various elements painted in gloss black, such as the upper air duct over the polycarbonate glass bonnet, as well as aerodynamic parts in carbon fiber and commemorative logos next to the rear wheel. Wheels that, as you can see, mount the same wheels in the five-spoke design of the McLaren F1.
The interior of the McLaren 720S Le Mans features Alcantara leather upholstery that, like the exterior, can be chosen for specific areas in two colors, McLaren Orange or Dove Gray, which will be combined with sports seats made of carbon fiber, a steering wheel incorporating the brand at 12 o’clock and commemorative logos of the edition present on the mats, the headrests and on a plaque. Apart from this specific design, future customers of the 720S Le Mans will be able to add their personal touch thanks to the customization possibilities of MSO Bespoke and MSO Defined.
Where improvements occur, and it is not that they need much, it is in its engine, where we will continue to find a 4-bit V 8 block with 4,000 CC capable of delivering 720 HP of power and 770 Nm of torque, allowing it to reach 100 km / h in just 2.9 seconds to reach a top speed of 341 km / h. The first deliveries to customers will be in September, priced at £ 254,500.