The McLaren Elva is a part of the McLaren Ultimate Series, with supercars like the Speedtail, Senna, and the F1 and P1 for the company. The Elva is a celebration of the Bruce McLaren-designed open-top sports cars of the 1960s. These sports cars were light and powerful performers and had a substantial power-to-weight differential to make them perform well on the racing circuits. The Elva is an appropriate tribute to these cars with its head-turning design and design specs that get ignored in its unconventional body shape and high pricing. Performance specifics aside, the 2021 Elva competes with other windscreen-free exotic cars like the Ferrari Monza and Aston Martin V12 Speedster.
The McLaren Elva is designed for an immersive driving experience and has the drive performance to back it up. The car features the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that most McLarens are equipped with. However, this car's engine offers 804 horsepower and generates 590 lb.ft of torque. Allowing it to accelerate in a jaw-clenching 0-62 mph in less than three seconds and 0 to 124 mph in 6.7 seconds. The Elva is McLaren Automotive's lightest car, with a 2800 lb dry weight. The power-to-weight ratio is 644 horsepower per ton, which puts it at the top of the featherweight league of supercars and performs on the road accordingly. This speed is enhanced for the passengers by the lack of cabin space since the car doesn't have side glasses, a roof, or (in most cases) a windscreen. You are open to all the elements and can hear the deep roar of the engine to get as authentic a racing car experience as possible. The car is built for speed, and its unique design offers a unique experience for those looking for a thrillingly fast drive.
To reduce weight, the Elva features standard carbon fiber seats and carbon fiber-wrapped interior bodywork to protect the open cabin from the elements. Cars ordered in the US can get windshields due to state regulations, but this is a customized option and will cost extra. An audio system is also optional because few would want to miss out on the deep exhaust notes. The system offered comes with marine-grade speakers to last in Elva's open cockpit. These are placed behind the headrests so the passengers can hear the music over the car's exhaust and wind noise. The dashboard is a simplified version of other cars. The Handling and Performance controllers are placed on the edge of the instrument panel. An infotainment screen is placed at the center, and the flat-based steering wheel is free of distracting button controls. The digital control gauge cluster is placed on the steering column edge. The car seems to break all the norms of a conventional super car. There are no door handles, and the air vents are placed lower for better effectiveness in the open cabin. The heating and cooling are surprisingly efficient for an open-cabin car, and you will remain comfortable in the cockpit. While driving, rear visibility is challenging as the arches behind the seats leave you utterly reliant on the back mirrors and rear camera. The active air management system, which manages the flow of air into the front of the car, shelters occupants from the bulk of the airflow. This system auto-activates at speeds ranging between 28 mph and 124 mph and creates a comfort zone for passengers. Some reviewers call it a virtual windscreen for the cabin. It needs to be switched off when the car is in Track mode to channel the air toward the engine to help keep it cool. The car comes with two open-face visor helmets as well as ballistic-grade sunglasses.
The Elva is unconventional, and the exterior is entirely unlike anything else. The interior and the exterior flow into each other plus there are no door handles or fuel doors in the exterior body. The doors open from the inside with a pressure button, and you can refuel from a tiny body panel situated between the arches behind the seats. This is also the trunk of the car, if you want to call it that. This storage is enough to hold a helmet or something of similar dimensions. The rear styling is very exciting with the exhaust system offering four separate exhaust pipes located in different places. The lower ones are in the rear grill and point straight ahead, while the other two are placed in the incline of the arches and point upwards to magnify the exhaust's boom. Buyers concerned about wind flow can choose an optional carbon-fiber composite structure that is joined to the chassis. It helps shield the occupants from the airstream. A windscreen is also a zero-cost option. The car's sides also have prominent air intakes in front and behind the doors to cool the mid-mounted engine. These air intakes are part of the Elva's aerodynamic curves. The car has a low-slung front nose, and the standard McLaren's evil glare seems less of a glare and more of a naughty smirk. This is a sexy, curvy, and loud car. When you take it out on the road, you WILL be the center of attention.
The McLaren Elva has a dual-clutch, seven-speed transmission that controls the huge 20-inch rear wheels and 19-inch front wheel, directing the 2,800-pound supercar around corners while feeding critical information to the driver. The car drives briskly, and the steering is light and responsive to the touch. It's designed to be what it is: a super-fast roadster that won't challenge you while driving for control. This doesn't mean that it is not a fast car. It is astonishingly fast. You just don't feel it at the controls. The car is overall light to drive and responds better than a 720S Spider. The drive is controlled even in the Sport mode and doesn't have the aggressiveness of the Senna. The acceleration capacity seems to be endless and seems effortless as well. The open cabin doesn't cause a problem at low speeds, and the active air management system is effective at speeds up to 70 mph and beyond. The Elva has the controls of the 720S with control dampers and its fantastic Variable Drift Control features for traction control. The Elva benefits from the tweaks and improvements in these features that the carmaker has done over time.
There are only 149 McLaren Elvas made-to-customer orders. The base price of the model started at US$ 1,690,000. The final price depends on the level of personalization McLaren Special Operations (MSO) makes. The car is a high-end option for those seeking the thrill and glamour that the Elva combines. Interested in a McLaren Elva? Check back regularly as we update our McLaren listings frequently.
If you haven't ridden on superbikes or open-cockpit planes, you will not know what the McLaren Elva feels like. The car pushes the edge of supercar limits and gives you the experience of simultaneously being one with the car and the elements. The force of wind hitting your face is an immersive experience that not everyone will appreciate. Those who enjoy it will find they cannot forget the experience easily. It is not easy to forget such adrenaline-inducing driving experiences. Are you interested in getting an Elva for yourself? Exotic Car Trader offers an exclusive and safe platform for buying and selling cars. We help make the experience of private selling a pleasant one for buyers and sellers. Every car listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring authenticity for our buyers. Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is straightforward, with all fees and packages mentioned. Our buyers get a smooth and inclusive experience. We also handle the escrow of funds at no additional charges for the buyer and seller and provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. These are just some of the benefits of buying or selling a car on Exotic Car Trader. Get in touch with us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today! With a considerably high street cred, the McLaren Elva offers a captivating choice for buyers looking for head-turning looks and performance.
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