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Bruce McLaren inspired Elva M6A ready for NZ debut

The Ultimate Tribute to 1967 Can-Am glory on show at The Car Store.

May 5, 2022

The Ultimate Tribute to 1967 Can-Am glory on show at The Car Store.

The all-new Ultimate Series roadster from McLaren Automotive is the ultimate tribute to legendary kiwi Bruce McLaren, paying tribute to his all-conquering M6A Can-Am car. It will be at The Car Store in Westfield Newmarket from Wednesday 11th May.

The M6A Theme by MSO (McLaren Special Operations), which replicates the Can-Am conquering icon of 1967 in every detail of its external paint scheme. 

The Elva name celebrates the renowned Bruce McLaren-designed M1A and McLaren-Elva M1A [Mk I], M1B [Mk II] and M1C [Mk III] of the 1960s. Produced as ‘customer’ versions of the innovative and exciting Group 7 McLaren race cars, the McLaren-Elva sportscars embodied many of the pioneering design and engineering principles that are integral to McLaren’s popular road cars today. 

The Elva M6A Theme by MSO represents more than just a homage to an iconic moment in motorsport history. The Anniversary Orange hue recalls the moment Bruce McLaren adopted the legendary racing colour. The Elva M6A theme is also adorned with the Dove Grey stripe, McLaren Cars decal and Bruce signature in Blue, along with Bruce’s race number 4. Satin carbon fibre and 10-spoke Diamond Cut wheels seal an edgy, 21st century effect. 

As the brand’s first open-cockpit road car, the Elva adds a new dimension to the range-topping Ultimate Series lineage. Like its McLaren P1, McLaren Senna and Speedtail predecessors, volume of the new McLaren Elva will be strictly limited to 249 cars. 

The Elva was designed from the ground up as a ferociously fast open cockpit car; an extreme two-seater with a bespoke carbon fibre chassis and body but no roof, no windscreen and no side windows. It is expected the Elva is the lightest road car the British brand has ever released. 

With every sensory input heightened, McLaren says the car exists to provide unparalleled driving pleasure on road or track. 

Breath-taking performance is delivered via an 815PS (599kW) twin-turbocharged McLaren V8. This powerful engine is capable of delivering a 0-100km/h time of under three seconds, and a 0-200km/h time quicker than even the McLaren Senna (6.7 seconds). 

The Elva also debuts McLaren Active Air Management System (AAMS). This world-first ventilation system shelters occupants by manipulating air flow while retaining their connection to the elements. The system channels air through the nose of the Elva to come out of the front clamshell at high velocity ahead of the occupants, before being directed up over the cockpit to create a relative ‘bubble’ of calm.  

The system comprises a large central inlet situated above the splitter, a front clamshell outlet vent and a discreet carbon fibre deflector that raises and lowers vertically; when the AAMS is active, the deflector is deployed at the leading edge of the bonnet outlet, rising 150mm into the freestream to create a low-pressure zone at the vent. When the AAMS is inactive, the central duct is sealed, diverting air flow into the low-temperature radiators and increasing their cooling efficiency.  

Large, carbon fibre rear fenders flow from the front of the Elva’s door to the rear deck, while the height of the twin rear buttresses is minimised by using a deployable roll-over protection system. McLaren says helmets can be worn if preferred, but the form and sculpture of the upper cabin wraps around the driver and passenger to provide a secure environment.