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1994 McLaren F1 LM-Specification fetches $19.8M at Monterey

The botched sale of that World War II-era 1939 Porsche Type 64 may have somewhat overshadowed the RM Sotheby’s auction last weekend at Monterey, but the event wasnÂ’t without its highlights. Exhibit A: The one-of-two 1994 McLaren F1 LM-Specification supercar that we told you about a month ago netted a whopping $19.8 million at the RM SothebyÂ’s auction last weekend in Monterey, and an almost equally rare 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype also netted seven figures.  The F1 is one of 106 examples ever built and one of just two in LM-Specification (the LM stands for “Le Mans”). McLaren upgraded the standard F1 at the factory post-production, adding a 680-horsepower GTR engine, an extra-high downforce coachwork kit highlighted by the massive rear wing, race-spec dampers, two more radiators and so forth. It also gained a more comfortable interior and creature comforts, with an upgraded air conditioning, radio, new headlights and a different steering wheel. Finally, the exterior was given a coat of silver paint, replacing the factory blue. Four bidders spent four-and-a-half minutes trying to outbid one another for the car, which eventually went to an unidentified American private collector. Also successfully auctioned on Friday: the 1965 Ford GT40 Roadster Prototype for $7.65 million, which fell right in line with expectations of between $7 million and $9 million. It helped pave the way for the Mark IV race cars that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As a reminder, it was the first of five GT40 Roadster Prototypes ever built, with seven hardtop versions also built, and it underwent a full restoration in 1983 and a mechanical overhaul in 2003. And it sure is pretty to look at.

McLaren reveals that its next Ultimate Series car is indeed a roadster

It turns out the rumor was true, the next McLaren Ultimate Series car, which is the group of cars including the Senna, Speedtail and P1, will be a roadster. The company revealed the preview rendering above, though it hasn't announced a name. Of course one of the most distinctive parts of the car is the complete lack of both a roof and a windshield. The styling is clearly McLaren with small headlights and a highly curvaceous body. Thankfully, the design looks closer to the Speedtail and GT than the over-styled Senna. Part of what will make this car worthy of the Ultimate Series moniker is the claim that this will be the lightest McLaren road car to date. For reference, the Senna is one of the lightest cars in the McLaren lineup right now at just under 2,900 pounds. On the topic of the Senna, the new roadster will use "the same twin-turbo V8 engine." So it likely will make the same 789 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque as that supercar. McLaren says the goal of this car is to provide the most involved, connected drive of its top-tier supercars. McLaren will reveal more details and photos of the car at its official debut sometime in 2020. It should finally have a name then, too. Prospective buyers will want to act quickly, as only 399 examples of the car will be built.

McLaren GT by MSO displays seat stitching as architecture and art form

McLaren Automotive deemed August 2019 to be "MSO Month" and has used its social media to rehash some of its best custom creations. What initially seemed to be a random back-patting exercise turned out to be build-up toward a special-edition release. McLaren has unveiled the GT by McLaren Special Operations (MSO) ahead of its public debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.  McLaren unveiled its newest interpretation of Grand Touring in May 2019 as a light and luxurious supercar that can carry a bag of golf clubs. As customization is luxury currency, it was only a matter of time before the GT was handed over to MSO.  Well-known for its use of unique colors, McLaren developed a new paint called MSO Defined Flux Silver for this car. That contrasts with MSO Bespoke Satin Graphite paint on the door skirts, front splitter, side mirrors, rear bumper, diffuser and brake calipers. The electrochromic roof and MSO Bright Pack, which includes a bright chrome upper window surround, polished titanium exhaust finishers, and Gloss Black Diamond Cut wheels, add extra dimensions to the exterior scheme.  McLaren says the GT by MSO is inspired by British architecture, and the interior brings that idea to life. The slightly metallic Flux White leather is shaped with MSO Bespoke Geoform Stitching, which incorporates an artistic angular design inspired by the geometric canopy seen in the British Museum in London, England. MSO applied the unique look to the seats, sun visor, armrests and door panels. Further touches include Satin Graphite leather accents, debossed MSO logos in the headrests, MSO Bespoke Silver Infused Carbon Fiber gear shift paddles and steering wheel clasp, and bespoke floor mats.  As usual, nothing was done to the car's engine, which is a 612-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 in this case. The McLaren GT by MSO will debut on the Concept Car Lawn at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 18, 2019. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.   Featured Gallery McLaren GT by MSO for Pebble Beach View 18 Photos Design/Style McLaren Coupe Luxury Performance Pebble Beach mclaren special operations mso mclaren gt

McLaren will return to IndyCar racing full-time after 40 years

LONDON — McLaren will return to full-time IndyCar racing in 2020 in partnership with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports and Chevrolet, the British company announced on Friday. The move could give Spaniard Fernando Alonso, the double Formula One world champion who remains under contract to McLaren, another chance to win the Indianapolis 500 even if the Spaniard is not interested in a full season. The existing team will be renamed Arrow McLaren Racing SP, competing with two Chevrolet-powered cars and a possible third entry for Indianapolis. Former Indy 500 winner Gil de Ferran, the sporting director of McLaren Racing, will lead a dedicated group independent of the Formula One team. McLaren last competed full-time in the IndyCar championship in 1979. "We come to IndyCar in full respect of the sport, our competitors, the fans and the task ahead," said McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown. "It's definitely a very integrated partnership, technically, managerially and commercially," he told a conference call. He said McLaren, which faces a likely record 22 race season in Formula One in 2020 and are also contemplating a world endurance involvement from 2021 when the rules change to hypercars, were not biting off more than they could chew. McLaren has been mulling a full IndyCar campaign for some time, its decision influenced by failure to qualify Alonso for this year's Indianapolis 500 as a one-off entry. Brown said Alonso, who left Formula One at the end of last year, still wanted to win Indianapolis and McLaren wanted to do so with him. "He has not shown to date interest in competing in a full season," he added. "(For) Fernando, or someone else potentially, we would consider a third car entry at Indy only." Canadian James Hinchcliffe is committed through 2020 with Schmidt Peterson while Swedish former F1 driver Marcus Ericsson will be out of contract at the end of the year. Alonso wants to become only the second driver after the late Briton Graham Hill to win the "Triple Crown of Motorsport" and has already won the Monaco Grand Prix and Le Mans 24 Hours. Indianapolis is the only remaining race to win. This year's Indy 500 winner Simon Pagenaud told Reuters last weekend that Alonso's best chances of success at The Brickyard would be either by doing a full season or racing with an experienced team.

McLaren Denver commissions 600LT Pikes Peak Edition from MSO

McLaren Denver placed an order with McLaren Special Operations that turns the limited-edition 600LT Spider into the limited-to-six, 600LT Spider Pikes Peak Edition. Each car wears one of MSO's Bespoke or Heritage exterior colors, matte black vinyl stripes, and interior embellishments. The shades come in Black Gold, White Gold, Nerello Red, Volcano Red, Aurora Blue and Midas Grey. The MSO Club Sport Pack upgrades the outside with carbon fiber cantrails, carbon fiber front fender louvers, and titanium wheel bolts to affix the Satin Speedline Gold wheels. Inside, a Satin Gold band identifies top dead center on the steering wheel, and extended paddle shifters in Satin Gold hang out behind the wheel. Lightweight carbon fiber racing seats taken from the McLaren Senna get contrast stitching Satin Gold, the headrests embroidered with the Pikes Peak logo in the same color. A plaque reading "Pikes Peak Collection 1 of 6" alerts the world to the exclusivity. The 600LT Spider Pikes Peak Edition remains untouched otherwise compared to the standard open-top, a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 providing 592 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque suitable for charging up 14,000-foot mountains on Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires. In an environment where road-holding and braking would be especially important, the 600LT Spider upgrades its game with suspension bits from the 720S, carbon ceramic brake discs, and lightweight calipers. Price remains a mystery, but expect a healthy premium over the $256,500 MSRP for the 'regular' 600LT Spider.

McLaren working on a roofless speedster for the Ultimate Series

A "source aware of the car" told Autocar that McLaren is working on a new entry in the Ultimate Series range, an open-topped speedster that will "focus on exhilarating on-road driving." The British carmaker hasn't finished building its already-spoken-for quota of Senna GTR models, and after that, Speedtail production is slated to begin toward the end of this year. That pushes whatever this new car might be out to late 2020 or early 2021 at least, and that's not accounting for development time.The comparison being made is that this will be the English version of Ferrari's F8-Superfast-based Monza SP1 and SP2 speedsters, with styling reminiscent of open-cockpit prototype race cars. When The Drive asked McLaren about the rumor, the carmaker replied that it is "speaking to potential customers about a new McLaren Ultimate Series model that shares some attributes with the car that Autocar describes." Unlike the track-centric Senna or the aero-focused Speedtail, the new roofless car is said to "highlight the more emotional, fun side of McLaren." That's a bit like looking for the emotional, fun side of an electromagnetic railgun - and I mean that as a compliment to McLaren - but there's plenty of feeling to draw from in the carmaker's past. Autocar's source said to expect lines with more elegance and fluidity outside and in, capped by a set of the brand's trademark dihedral doors. If designers can make Can-Am curves from the McLaren M1B, M6A, or M8B jive seamlessly with modern carbon and combustion internals, we're ready for it. There's no reason to let Ferrari - and De Tomaso and Ecurie Ecosse - bogart the retro fun. Predictions point to the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 providing the power, in this application without hybrid assistance. Slinky lines and no roof could mean a car that weighs less than the 2,641-pound Senna, and since "extremely agile handling" and driver feedback are the priorities, power could be toned down from the 789-horsepower track car. Autocar mentions a sticker price of something around 1.5 million pounds, roughly $1.9 million in our money. If that's accurate, paying twice the price of a Senna could pay for exclusivity, with build numbers expected to be fewer than the Senna's 500 examples. When it arrives, it will be another milestone in McLaren's Track25 business plan that targets 18 new models and derivatives in the next six years.

One of only two McLaren F1s in LM-Specification headed for auction in Monterey

Of all the McLaren F1s out there (106 of them, including racecars and other variants), this 1994 F1 in LM-Specification is about as special as they get. Incredibly, it’s going up for auction in Monterey at the RM SothebyÂ’s auction house during Monterey Car Week. Why a McLaren F1 owner would ever want to sell their car is beyond us, but weÂ’re sure the millions of dollars on the other side of the gavel look pretty alright. This F1 happens to be one of two in existence in LM-Specification. In case you werenÂ’t familiar with the model, McLaren upgraded two standard F1 road cars to this particular specification at the factory after the production run had finished. That means the engine was upgraded to the unrestricted 680-horsepower GTR spec. An extra-high downforce kit was also added, consisting of a huge rear wing, revised nose and different front fender vents. Other differences between this and a normal F1 include race-spec dampers and springs adjusted to their softest settings, 17-inch wheels, a transmission cooler, two more radiators and a modified exhaust system. What it doesnÂ’t have is the barren interior from the hardcore LM. Instead, McLaren gave it an upgraded air conditioning system, radio, new headlights and a different steering wheel. That means you have the more aggressive performance with a slightly more comfortable living space, a combination we like. McLaren says it made all these changes over two rounds of modifications in 2000 and 2001. The car was also repainted from its original blue to the silver you see now in that timeframe.  This particular F1 has 13,352 miles on the odometer, and it has been given a full written history and evaluation by MSO. WeÂ’re sure itÂ’s going to nab many millions of dollars. To whoever ends up purchasing this fine McLaren, we envy you greatly.

'Top Gear' episode 1 recap | A new beginning, again

Season 27 of "Top Gear" kicked off Sunday night, and we were there on our couches for the premiere to see everything Chris Harris, Freddie Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness had to offer. With only five episodes in this season, this new group of characters doesn’t have much time to get it right. They started with a bang, on a massive road trip through Ethiopia in cars identical to their first vehicle purchases. Before that, though, the hosts recognized the rebirths and numerous changes "Top Gear" has gone through since Clarkson, Hammond and May left the premises. Good on "Top Gear" for not brushing over any sort of controversy and unrest, then getting on with the show as itÂ’s meant to be. As is typical for "Top Gear," the adventure/story portion of the show was definitely the most entertaining. We wholeheartedly approve of all the vehicles these guys bought as their first transportation — watching Chris Harris toss his little Mini around the sand and rocks was especially joyful. The boys get on rather well together for just starting off, and while the interludes for challenges didnÂ’t feel totally natural, the challenges themselves were still fun to watch. Being in Ethiopia with such a vast array of alien-to-us shooting locations definitely helped keep us entertained from a visual standpoint. We werenÂ’t surprised to see Chris Harris handling the “serious car review” portion of the show where he pitted a Ferrari 488 Pista against a McLaren 600LT — the others aren't traditional automotive journalists. We wonÂ’t give away who won, but the Ferrari did manage to surprise us in one particular area. Perhaps the most important aspect of the whole episode is how the three hosts got on with each other (Sabine Schmitz was nowhere to be seen). ThereÂ’s no Captain Slow or American car maniac amongst the group, but a comedian (Paddy) and cricketer (Freddie) certainly do bring fresh voices and perspectives. WeÂ’ll give them time to warm up to each other as the season goes on, with a new episode this coming Sunday. One thing we know for sure after this first go: Chris Harris really does not like the hot desert as much as he loves hot, burning rubber.

McLaren shoehorned the F1's V12 into a BMW M5 wagon test mule

Automakers are known to utilize preexisting vehicles as test beds for major research and development purposes. But some of the zombie mashups produced in-house can result in pretty interesting combinations. Case in point, when McLaren was developing its BMW-sourced naturally-aspirated 6.1-liter V12 for the legendary F1, the company put the engine in … a BMW M5 wagon? Yup, you read that correctly. ItÂ’s no mystery that the legendary F1 came with a BMW-sourced V12. That "M70" V12 originated from its placement in the E32 7 Series and E31 8 Series “50” models in the 1980s up through the 1990s. The version that went into the F1, however, is more closely related to the M-tuned "S70" V12 found in the E31 850CSI, which was the pseudo M-variant to the 8 Series that wasnÂ’t officially designated an M model. But it did feature full-fledged tuning from the M Division. On "Top Gear" presenter Chris HarrisÂ’ podcast, "Collecting Cars", Harris interviewed David Clark, the former director of McLarenÂ’s cars for both the road and motorsports between 1994 and 1998. Clark revealed that they took an E34 BMW M5 wagon and shoehorned the S70 V12 into its engine bay as the mule for testing the F1Â’s engine. Clark even said he drove the car himself as they were fine-tuning the V12Â’s engine output. YouÂ’re probably wondering, how the heck did that thing fit? But it isnÂ’t that surprising. The E34 5-Series was designed to house either the BMWÂ’s venerable straight-six or the new-at-the-time V8. And there was room enough to house the V12 as well, particularly since BMWÂ’s V12 was essentially two of its “M20” straight-sixes bolted together at the crank in a vee. When Clark was testing the S70 V12 in the wagon, he and his team ended up with the 627 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque the F1 became known for. ThatÂ’s nearly twice the power the production M5's 311 hp and 266 lb-ft at the time. Clark also divulged that the actual prototype mule still exists, but itÂ’s in BMWÂ’s secret collection of prototypes, and itÂ’s never been revealed to the public. He does, however, hope that one day, BMW will open its doors and show off the incredible mashup of an automobile. Until then, youÂ’ll have to rely on the few custom engine swaps done by owners to get a taste of what a V12-powered E34 M5 is like. Rumor also has it that McLaren could be working on a new direct F1 successor with help once again from Gordon Murray.

Watch the McLaren GT run up the hill at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

We first saw the McLaren GT back in May, but now we have a good view of the car in motion, having made its “dynamic debut” at the hill during the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The car that ran up the hill appears to be the same one (or at least, the same color) as the one shown at its static reveal. It sounds appropriately bubbly, too. Recall, this one uses a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 with smaller turbos for a punchier, flatter torque curve. While its 612 horsepower puts it in the middle of the range, the GT seeks a balance between performance, comfort and luxury. ItÂ’s something that was previewed to some extent by the earlier (and lower-tier) 570GT, trading some outright performance for more sophisticated comfort. In motion, the GTÂ’s more mature design, with longer overhangs and smoothed-out lines, looks slinkier. ItÂ’s a bit like a McLaren 720S took off its workout clothes and changed into a sharp suit. It also seems to allow more of its V8 nature to emerge from the tailpipes, whereas other Maccas like the 720S sound more like high-strung race cars. This video gives us a taste of the range of driving experiences that Woking would like to offer buyers, broadening its scope a bit. From what we see, weÂ’re very keen to drive the GT and see if itÂ’s as successful from behind the wheel as it appears to be from behind the camera.