McLaren 650S Coupe Le Mans Edition unveiled

McLaren has released full details of the 650S Coupe Le Mans special edition, following late last year’s reveal. The special edition model, limited to only 50 units worldwide, is released to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the company’s victory in the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, in which a McLaren F1 GTR took the chequered flag.

Designed by McLaren’s Special Operations team (MSO) in consultation with Peter Stevens, the designer of the iconic McLaren F1, the McLaren 650S Le Mans will be offered as a coupé only, and will borrow a number of styling enhancements from the iconic race-winner, most notably the roof-mounted ‘snorkel’ air intake. This fully-integrated ‘snorkel’ channels airflow to the familiar 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine, while also providing enhanced aural drama within the cabin. The front wings feature subtle louvres to reduce pressure over the front wheels, increasing downforce.

The unique ‘Le Mans Edition’ lightweight wheels – 19-inch at the front, 20-inch at the rear – are styled around the design of the motorsport rims fitted to the 1995 racers. The rims wear the McLaren-developed Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres and are mounted in front of carbon ceramic brakes as standard, with McLaren Orange callipers.

Power and torque figures for the McLaren 650S Le Mans remain unchanged from the standard production model, producing 478kW (641 bhp) and 678 Nm (500 lb ft) of torque. This sprint from zero to 100km/h is achieved in three seconds and the top speed is 333km/h.

Visual carbon fibre features throughout the limited edition model, including the front splitter and rear bumper. The limited edition coupés also feature MSO-developed extended side blades and the distinctive MSO rear diffuser. The unique look of the McLaren 650S Le Mans exterior is further enhanced by the metallic Sarthe Grey exterior paint colour, inspired by the colour of the race-winning McLaren F1 GTR.  A splash of the famous McLaren Orange in the form of the ‘Le Mans’ logo adorns the wheels and the trailing edge of the extended MSO door blades, while an internal dedication plate on the door card identifies the limited nature of the model.

The interior is swathed in black leather and Alcantara®, while a pair of sports seats are finished in black with contrasting McLaren Orange Alcantara® in the centre. A Le Mans logo is embossed on the headrest of each seat, and on the unique floor mats, paying further homage to the anniversary.

The McLaren 650S Le Mans is available globally, priced at £244,500, and deliveries will commence in mid-2015.