McLaren 650S Can-AM celebrates old British racing glory

The Canadian American Challenge Cup, or Can-Am for short, was one of the most exciting and challenging race series of its time.

The 650S Can-Am is based on the British supercar company’s flagship convertible and will be limited to just 50 examples worldwide. To celebrate this, and 50 years of the Can-Am series, McLaren has launched a limited edition of the 650S Spider – the 650S Can-Am. Carbonfibre is also used for the bonnet, airbrake, front splitter, rear bumper centre, door blades and a Can-Am branded sill cover. The louvered front wings are created to reduce pressure over the front wheels, increasing downforce, while the four polished tailpipes at the rear of the vehicle, housed within a new visual carbon fiber rear grille, echo the aggressive and purposeful throttle trumpets of the historic models. Mars Red is inspired by the M1B driven by founder Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon in Can-Am’s debut season, Papaya Spark is based on the now-famous McLaren Can-Am orange, and Onyx Black recalls the black-painted cars sold to customer teams in later seasons. Buyers can further customize the cars to better match their preferred racing livery of the era.

Lucky owners can also expect standard sports seats wrapped in leather and Alcantara, yet more carbon fibre detailing and a unique Can-Am plaque on the driver’s door.

The engine and transmission mirror those of the regular 650S: a 3.8-liter, 641 hp, 500 lb-ft twin-turbo V8 and seven-speed dual-clutch. Zero to 60 miles per hour happens in 3.0 seconds flat, and the 650S can reach a top speed of 204 miles per hour.

Paul Mackenzie, Exec Director of MSO had this to say: ‘Can-Am racing is a major part of McLaren heritage, and this latest model from MSO pays homage to the cars and the racers who played a key role in making the championship such a spectacle during the 1960s and 70s.

“The championship was a true test of the engineering ability, driving talent and bravery of Bruce and his teammates, which led them to secure five consecutive championships”. Deliveries are due to commence in the spring of 2016-50 years after the first Can-Am race was held.

For a few added nostalgia, McLaren will offer the 650S Can-Am in three colors based on the ones worn by a few of its most successful racers.

To set the special edition apart from the rest of the McLaren lineup, McLaren fitted the Can-Am with their first retractable hardtop made completely out of carbon fiber.