There are cars that don't make sense. Cars that don't seem to be well designed or thought out, however impractical as they may be, are the most special of all. The Mclaren elva is one of those cases. A unique, different and exclusive model created to maximize driving sensations. It doesn't make sense, but it doesn't need to either.
The Elva is one of the latest McLaren products to see the light. His special style directs him directly to the Ultimate Series family., the most exclusive and expensive of all, where it shares campus with the McLaren Senna and McLaren Speedtail. But unlike any other product seen in Woking before, the Elva does so without a cabin to protect the occupants.
The McLaren Elva was born from racing, and in fact its philosophy is taken from the sports cars created by Bruce McLaren in the 60s. With no physical border between outside and inside, the occupants enjoy the discomfort of the air on their faces, but without a doubt, they receive a unique experience that cannot be lived with many models in the world. The use of a helmet is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended.
Technical characteristics of the McLaren Elva
One of the advantages of removing the roof is that you save a lot of surface area, which increases the weight of the whole. Structurally speaking, this loss is compensated with a series of minimal reinforcements that join the monocoque chassis made of carbon fiber that provides great resistance as well as agility. The McLaren Elva is the lightest model ever made by the company.
Such a structure allows two occupants to be accommodated, who, as we have already said, will have all the advantages and disadvantages of going without a roof to protect you. Nonetheless his measurements lead us to a generously sized model, where cargo space is greatly reduced. Under the hood there is enough space for day-to-day use, although it is obviously not intended for travel.
The McLaren Elva is an exercise in creativity and technique. Its silhouette has not been created just to attract attention, but also to do considerable aerodynamic work. The nose has been worked to create a "bubble effect" in the cabin, saving the occupants from receiving the forces of nature. All the air is distributed to a retractable rear spoiler made of carbon fiber and that generates a large downforce.
Mechanical range and gearboxes of the McLaren Elva
The Elva has a production limited to 399 units. Its exclusivity is beyond doubt, as is its performance. It's not just a pretty face, it's also one of the most powerful cars in the family, and a worthy member of the Ultimate Series family. It only has a driving diagram, an engine and a gearbox that there is no possibility of changing. Nor is it necessary to do so.
The McLaren Elva uses the largest and most powerful engine used in the Woking jewels. It is a block four-liter vee-eight cylinder, 3.994 cubic centimeters to be exact, made of aluminum and with a total of 32 valves, four per cylinder. To that block is added a double camshaft per bank and a double turbo system. All the power from the engine is managed by a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
The automatic transmission sends all the power to the rear axle. Nothing less 815 horsepower and 800 Nm of maximum torque. That mechanical performance leaves us with impressive performance worthy of a category higher than that of a supercar. From 0 to 100 km/h in just 2,8 seconds, and from 0 to 200 km/h in just 6,7 seconds. At the moment McLaren has not specified what the maximum speed of this jewel is.
Equipment of the McLaren Elva
It is time to talk about what is hidden in the small interior of the Elva. McLaren has sought widespread weight savings, releasing kilos and grams from where needed. That has meant removing most of the luxuries from the interior, leaving a minimalist space where there is no multifunction steering wheel.
But we cannot speak of a shabby or poorly presented space. The fact that it does not have many elements does not conflict with being well finished. Since the cabin is going to receive the scourge of all the external elements, it is designed to resist more than to show off. Despite this, we continue to find exclusive elements such as carbon fiber and leather. All to meet the weight goal.
McLaren gives its customers free rein to configure the Elva to their liking, though the cabin isn't much to choose from. The customization program is very extensive, but As far as equipment is concerned, the few elements that exist are found presented on two digital screens. One performing the functions of the instrument panel and the other anchored to the center console, being the axis on which the entire multimedia system rotates. And nothing more.
The McLaren Elva on video
Rivals of the McLaren Elva
Many times we say that a certain model is difficult to catalog, although sometimes we exaggerate, this is not the case. Today the market does not contemplate a direct rival to the McLaren Elva. Not at least in its approach or presentation, except for the Aston Martin V12 Speedster, another sports car without a physical barrier between exterior and interior. But we can find similar rivals in terms of power and performance, such as the Ferrari 812 Superfast, Lamborghini Aventador, or his brother, the McLaren Senna. All four have similar power levels, although as we have already said, none offer the approach of the Elva.
Highlight
- Style
- Performance
- Sensations
To improve
- ride comfort
- limited production
- little equipment
McLaren Elva Price
The price of the Elva is in accordance with the benefits, the exclusivity and the beauty that it transmits. Its production limited to 399 units makes it one of the most desired cars in the world. At the moment McLaren has not set an amount for the possible units that may arrive in Spain, but in England, the starting price of the McLaren Elva is 1.425.000 pounds sterling, which amounts to an approximate amount of 1,6 million euros. That without counting on particular elements or any of the many existing customization options.
McLaren Elva photo gallery
The content of the article adheres to our principles of editorial ethics. To report an error click here.