McLaren may be known today as a carmaker, but it was a race team first. But the Can-Am also gets a carbon-fiber retractable hardtop, which McLaren says is a first for the company, and there’s lots of carbon everywhere else – including the unpainted hood.
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McLaren Special Operations executive director Paul Mackenzie said: “Can-Am racing is a major part of McLaren heritage, and this latest model from MSO pays homage to the cars and the racers who played a key role in making the championship such a spectacle during the 1960s and 70s”.
McLaren is celebrating its 50-year United States racing milestone with a new limited edition 650S Can-Am. And while more power isn’t an issue, the price is: set at £255,850 (approximately $391,847) this makes the 650S Can-Am about $124,000 more than the regular 650S.
Can-Am – abbreviated from its full title of the Canadian-American Challenge Cup – began in 1966, attracting stars from across the motor racing world – names such as Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Dan Gurney and Keke Rosberg all competed in the series over the years.
MSO added special gloss-black forged alloy wheels, inspired by wheels from 1960s racecars. Held in place by titanium bolts, the wheels are shod with Pirelli P Zero™ Corsa tyres. Carbon ceramic brakes with black painted calipers are also standard.
Further unique details include the louvered carbon front wings which are created to reduce pressure over the front axle and increase downforce and a new exhaust with quad pipes made from polished stainless steel, said to offer a unique soundtrack.
And the colors? There’s the Mars red shown here, onyx black and something called papaya spark, “a modern and heavily metallic take on the famous Can-Am racing McLaren orange.” Hmm.
It’s the usual story for the the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, which delivers 650PS (641bhp) and 500lb/ft (680Nm) of torque. The sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour takes just three seconds while the car’s top speed is limited at 204 miles per hour. Each color is available with optional historic livery to match the Can-Am prototypes.
Can-Am was shelved in 1974, but during its relatively short existence, McLaren was one of the most dominant teams.
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Inside the sports seats are wrapped in leather and Alcantara, and each example will carry an individually numbered plaque on the driver’s door.
