McLaren has revealed a new special-edition car, the 650S Can-Am, inspired by the racing series.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Canadian-American Challenge Cup’s 1966 inaugural season, McLaren’s Special Operations division crafted a unique 650S Spider clad in Mars Red. Its color scheme pays homage to the M1B raced by Bruce McLaren and teammate Chris Amon in the debut season.
A second color, Papaya Spark, serves as a modern take on the Can-Am racing McLaren Orange, while Onyx Black is similar to the base color used by McLaren customer teams in the later seasons. Buyers can further customize the cars to better match their preferred racing livery of the era.
The package introduces McLaren’s first carbon-fiber retractable hardtop. The lightweight material is also used for the hood, airbrake, front splitter, rear bumper center, door blades and Can-Am branded sill cover. MSO designers also created a unique set of five-spoke alloy wheels inspired by the ’60s racers, with a gloss-black finish and a diamond-cut rim.
Other unique features include carbon-fiber louvered front wings and a new quad-exit polished stainless-steel exhaust system. The car consequently brings a unique sound, which is said to echo the “aggressive and purposeful throttle trumpets” of the historical models.
The 650S’ 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 remains unchanged, producing 641 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can expect to hit 62 mph from a standstill in three seconds flat, eventually topping out at 204 mph.
“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,” said MSO executive director Paul Mackenzie. “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.”
The company will only build 50 units, each carrying a £255,850 (~$392,000 USD) price tag. Deliveries are expected to begin in spring 2016.
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