Words: Chris Lilly
To recognise one of the most famous and unlikely results in motor racing history, McLaren has released a limited edition model of its 650S, with the design heavily influenced by the 1995 Le Mans winning F1 GTR. Marking 20 years since the legendary race, McLaren’s Special Operations division has created the McLaren 650S Le Mans, collaborating with Peter Stevens – designer of the fabled F1.
Despite being in a slower class than the top level Le Mans Prototypes, the GT1 specification F1 GTR was entered only by customer teams with as much help from the factory as it could muster. Not only was the winning car far from a full works effort, it was also ran by a hastily assembled team of McLaren employees and experienced racing engineers after money was found to take the test chassis racing.
It suffered from a number of problems before the race too with an engine swap after qualifying going on into the early hours of race day morning. This involved a shake-down the morning of the race on the runway of Le Mans’ airport across the road from the track, during which time a fault with the gearbox was found, meaning that had to be completely dismantled too.
Despite these problems and the lower outright pace, the McLaren F1 GTR came in after the 24 hour marathon first, third, fourth and fifth. Helped by rain easing the strain on its components and reliability that just about held together, McLaren fixed a gear linkage problem by spraying as much WD40 as they could at the exposed area every pit-stop – the F1 GTR took a famous victory.
The victory wasn’t all down to the hugely powerful 6.1 litre BMW V12 engined McLaren though as the drivers contributed hugely. Finn JJ Lehto produced every ounce of his immense car control lap after lap, in the wet and on maximum attack, sometimes being around thirty seconds a lap quicker than the rest of the field.
Coming back in to the present though, it’s easy to see the influence the old car has had on the new McLaren 650S Le Mans. Only 50 versions of the special edition car will be made and will be offered in coupe form only. Styling and performance details borrowed from the F1 GTR include a roof mounted ‘snorkel’ air intake to feed the 3.8 litre twin turbo V8. The front wings feature louvres to channel the airflow and increase downforce around the front wheels, too.
Unique Le Mans Edition lightweight wheels are based on the style of motor racing rims from 1995 and sit around huge carbon ceramic brakes with callipers painted McLaren Orange. Power and torque figures remain unchanged from the production car and sit at 641bhp and 500 lb ft of torque, all of which helps the 650S Le Mans complete the 0-62mph sprint in three seconds, topping out at 207mph.
Apart from the performance enhancements, there are a number of changes to the aesthetics too. Carbon fibre features on the front splitter, rear bumper, side intake surrounds and in the cabin. The interior is fitted with black leather and Alcantara while the only colour scheme available is the metallic Sarthe grey paint job, with the odd flash of McLaren’s signature orange about the place.
The special edition McLaren 650S Le Mans costs £244,500 with deliveries due in the middle of the 2015. Those who buy one will be invited to McLaren’s exclusive 20th anniversary celebration event at Le Mans.
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