McLaren
650S Can-Am
McLaren
established itself throughout the 1960s and 70s as a world-beating force in one
of the most extreme forms of motorsport, Can-Am, winning five consecutive
championships between 1967 and 1971. In honour of the 50th anniversary of the
1966 inaugural season, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has created the limited
production 650S Can-Am which takes its inspiration from the race cars of this
golden age of motorsport. The 650S Can-Am can be commissioned now priced at
£ 255,850 with deliveries set to commence in the spring of 2016, 50 years on
from the first race at Mont Tremblant, Canada. Just 50 examples will be
produced globally, all based on the 650S Spider.
The
Can-Am series, or Canadian-American Challenge Cup, was a no-holds-barred battle
of power and speed around some of the most iconic circuits in North America and
Canada. It attracted the best drivers of the time including Graham Hill, John
Surtees, Jackie Stewart and, of course, Bruce McLaren. The championship started
in 1966, only a year after Bruce McLaren Motor Racing was established and in
the series that followed, the young Kiwi became one of most successful names in
the sport.
Key
to the success of the McLaren Can-Am racers was the use of the latest
technologies and materials. This principle is carried through to today's 650S
Can-Am. Where lightweight materials such as aluminium and mallite were used in
the construction of yesterday's racers, the modern-day celebration features
extensive carbon fibre not least in the construction of its lightweight
MonoCell chassis. A carbon fibre retractable hard top features for the first
time while further carbon fibre is used for the bonnet, Airbrake, front
splitter, rear bumper centre, door blades and 650S Can-Am branded sill cover.
MSO has also created a unique set of lightweight forged alloy wheels inspired
by those of the 1960s racers with a gloss-black finish on each of the five
spokes and a diamond cut rim. Held in place by titanium bolts, the wheels are
shod with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres. Carbon ceramic brakes with black painted
callipers are standard equipment.
Further
unique features inspired by the iconic Can-Am racers include carbon fibre
louvered front wings and a new quad-exit, polished stainless steel exhaust
system. The louvres are designed to reduce pressure over the front wheels and
increase downforce, while the four circular tailpipes at the rear of the car
housed within a new visual carbon fibre rear grille echo the aggressive and
purposeful throttle trumpets of the historic models. They also provide the 650S
Can-Am with a unique soundtrack.
Like
the 650S Spider, this limited production model features the award-winning
3.8-litre twin turbo V8 which produces 650 PS (641 bhp) and 678 Nm (500 lb-ft) of
torque. Performance and economy figures are just as exhilarating: zero to 62
mph (100 km/h) sprint takes a mere three seconds and its top speed is 204 mph
(329 km/h).
The
650S Can-Am is offered in three bold colours. The launch colour, Mars Red, is
directly inspired by the M1B raced by Bruce McLaren and his teammate Chris Amon
in the debut season. The second colour, Papaya Spark, is a modern and metallic
take on the famous Can-Am racing McLaren Orange. The final option is Onyx Black
which is similar to the base colour used by many of the McLaren customer teams
in the later seasons. Each is additionally available with a corresponding
racing livery to give an even closer visual association with the historic
Can-Am series.
Inside,
the standard sports seats are upholstered with leather and Alcantara® which
complement the exterior. Carbon fibre naturally features extensively throughout
the cabin while a further bespoke Can-Am touch is the unique dedication plaque
on the driver's door.
