Description
This is lot number 127 in the Bonhams Bonmont Auction on June 30th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
• 200mph-plus hypercar
• Number '108' of 149 Produced
• Unique specification
• Base price US $ 1, 690, 000
• Omani registration document
"... the Elva has a power-to-weight ratio of 644bhp per ton, which puts it ahead of the P1, the Senna and even the F1... McLaren claims the Elva can reach 62mph in 2. 8 seconds, 124mph in 6. 8 seconds and go on to hit a presumably rather breezy 203mph. Good stuff." - evo magazine.
Introduced to the public for the first time in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2019, the McLaren Elva is notable as the British company's first open-top road-legal sports car. The newcomer took its name from another celebrated British competition car manufacturer, Frank Nichols' Elva having been contracted by McLaren founder Bruce McLaren to build the customer versions of his M1 series of sports-racing prototypes, the first of which were delivered around 1964. (Nichols chose the name because of its similarity to the French 'elle va', meaning 'she goes'.) The Elva is the fifth in the 'McLaren Ultimate Series' of exclusive models, following the F1, P1, Senna, and Speedtail. To be built by McLaren's MSO department, 399 examples were planned, though this was later reduced to 249 and finally to 149 units. The base price in the USA was $1, 690, 000.
Unlike the original McLaren-Elva, which featured a tubular steel spaceframe chassis and glassfibre bodywork, the 21st Century version (taken from the Senna) is mainly carbon fibre, the chassis, doors and seats all being fabricated from this lightweight material; indeed, weighing 1, 269kg (wet) it is claimed to be the lightest sports car McLaren has ever produced. Further weight saving was achieved by adopting titanium versions of the Senna's brake callipers, while the Elva's maximum power output of 804bhp made it the most powerful non-hybrid McLaren. The familiar twin-turbo dry-sump 4. 0-litre V8 engine is basically the same as the Senna's, as is the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and multi-mode electro-hydraulic Proactive Chassis Control suspension system, the latter suitably retuned. Also new was the four-outlet exhaust system fabricated from Inconel and titanium and boasting 3D-printed titanium finishers.
Another new feature was the McLaren Active Air Management System (AAMS), deployable at speeds over 25mph (40km/ h), whereby air is ducted from the nose and around the cockpit in such as way that the occupants are not subjected to unacceptable levels of wind blast: a 'virtual windscreen', if you like. (There are no side windows or actual windscreen, although the factory would fit one free of charge if required.) A knee-operated button turns the system on or off. In addition there is an active rear spoiler that also serves as an air brake, while inside the cockpit one finds a free-standing HMI screen, aluminium air vents, an improved navigation screen, and a distinctive instrument pod and centre console. Interestingly, the seats are trimmed in a new Ultrafabric 'synthetic leather' material that looks and feels just like the real thing but is claimed to have superior wear characteristics; another advantage is that they do not heat up quite so much if the car is left parked in the sun.
According to evo: "First impressions are breezy but positive. The steering is light, clean and full of feel, the ride is deftly controlled even when you select Sport with the rocker switch for Handling mode, and there's no question that the Elva feels lighter and even more alert than a 720S Spider but has none of the harshness that fizzes through the hyper-aggressive Senna. It feels road optimised. Even if it's very obviously not speed-limit optimised. You don't need to search for the outer reaches of the rev range to understand that this is a freakishly rapid car. It seems to accelerate without inertia and as speeds rise it doesn't tail off. At all. The top-end delivery is simply outrageous." One can only envy this McLaren Elva's fortunate next owner.
Delivered new to Oman via McLaren Muscat on 20th September 2020, this McLaren Elva is finished in the evocative M1A livery of glossy British Racing Green, Atacama Yellow and Anniversary White, and carries the number '9' in Pure Black on Anniversary White Circles; the car benefits from a Paint Protection Film to keep this livery intact. The seats are trimmed in Atacama Yellow with Vintage Tan stitching, while the console is finished in glossy British Racing Green with brushed aluminium trim, contrasting with the exposed carbon-fibre tub. Other notable features include air conditioning; McLaren eight-speaker audio system; vehicle lift (raises the nose for bumps); carbon-fibre air duct, bumper extensions and deck; exhaust frame painted in Stealth; and brake callipers finished in glossy Atacama Yellow with McLaren logos. The wheels are five-spoke non-Diamond-cut in Stealth shod with Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres.
Two matching model-specific helmets are included in the sale, with two goggles; two keys; car full cover; roof cover; charger and battery connector. Accompanying paperwork consists of owner's manual; copies of the following: McLaren Elva specification brochure; 30/ 08/ 2021 Tax/ New Vehicle; Purchase Invoice and Delivery Note; Service invoices; 05/ 02/ 2024 Omani Vehicle Export Certificate and a registration document from Oman. Please note that McLaren dealer Schmohl AG has confirmed that the car can be registered in Switzerland.
Please note that if this vehicle is to be imported into Switzerland, Swiss Customs charges (Car Tax, VAT and a Customs Administration Fee) will apply totalling roughly 13% of the Purchase Price (Hammer + Buyers Premium). Swiss Car Tax at 4% shall be calculated on the total Purchase Price. Swiss VAT (8. 1%) will then be applicable on the aggregated amount of the Hammer Price, Buyer's Premium and Swiss Car Tax. There will equally be a charge for the customs clearance procedure. Please note that customs rates to other countries shall vary. This vehicle will not be available for immediate collection after the sale and will only be released on completion of customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams|Cars Department or our recommended shippers.
