McLaren celebrates Can-Am’s 50th anniversary with limited-edition 650S

“Can-Am racing is a bulk of McLaren heritage, as well as this most current design from MSO admires the automobiles as well as the racers that played a crucial function in making the champion such a phenomenon throughout the 70s as well as 1960s”, Paul Mackenzie, executive supervisor of McLaren Unique Procedures, claimed in a declaration. It’s based on the 650S Spider. So to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Can-Am race, McLaren is launching a limited-edition 650S Can-Am based on the 650S Spider, and built by its McLaren Special Operations (MSO) division.

Can-Am – abbreviated from its full title of the Canadian-American Challenge Cup – began in 1966, attracting stars from across the motor racing world – names such as Graham Hill, Jackie Stewart, Dan Gurney and Keke Rosberg all competed in the series over the years. Joining this are forged alloy wheels with a glossy black finish and diamond-cut rim. There is additionally a quad stainless-steel exhaust system tuned to provide these versions their very own enourmous note. The vehicle consequently brings a unique sound, which is said to echo the “aggressive and purposeful throttle trumpets” of the historical models. All three color options are available with a livery to match their historic racing counterparts.

It produces the same 641 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque as the regular 650S, sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Even the exterior colours recall the Can-Am series – the launch colour is Mars Red, directly inspired by the M1B raced by Bruce McLaren and his teammate Chris Amon in the debut season. The extensive use of lightweight visual carbon fibre, including for the retractable hard top, adds to car’s dramatic appearance and with the roof down, drivers are treated to a stirring V8 soundtrack just as Bruce and his teammates enjoyed’.

More carbon fibre features in the cockpit which is also upholstered in leather and Alcantara, while each auto is also fitted with a bespoke dedication plaque. 0-62mph takes three seconds and the top speed is 204mph. Other colors available are Papaya Spark – a modern and heavily metallic take on the famous Can-Am racing McLaren Orange – and Onyx Black – used by numerous McLaren customer teams in the later seasons. It won five consecutive championships from 1967, just after the sport kicked off in 1996.