Deriving its namesake and design philosophy from the lightweight open-top racing cars developed by Bruce McLaren in the late 1960s, the 2021 McLaren Elva is a highly exclusive supercar with each of the 149 examples built to exacting customer specifications by McLaren’s MSO department. The Elva is touted as the lightest and most agile McLaren ever built, sporting full carbon fiber bodywork without a roof or windscreen to maximize driver sensation. This example was configured and purchased by a VIP McLaren customer and features a bespoke MSO paint color called "Grigio Madelaine" complemented by a custom livery and Aniline Tan leather interior. Enjoyed sparingly by its owner, this Elva was recently traded into the original selling dealership where it underwent a comprehensive Pre-Owned Certification process. Showing just over 800 miles on the odometer, this very special McLaren is now being offered for auction out of Pennsylvania.
The Elva’s bodywork is based around McLaren’s carbon fiber MonoCell II chassis and incorporates fully enclosed underbody paneling with a front splitter and rear diffuser as well as low-profile dihedral doors. Without a roof or windscreen, occupants receive an unadulterated driving experience while being shielded from the elements by McLaren’s Air Active Management System (AAMS). Despite its lack of a canopy, the Elva produces significant amounts of downforce by employing an active rear spoiler and a meticulously engineered front clamshell.
Said to have been inspired by a classic 1950s Maserati paint color seen at a car show, the unique shade of “Grigio Madelaine” was developed with McLaren’s MSO department and named in honor of the original owner’s wife. The MSO Defined finish is complemented by 1K (1,000 fibers-per-thread) carbon fiber weave lower contrasts and a custom MSO Livery with white and yellow stripes. Other options include an MSO Heritage badge, brushed front and rear bodywork finish, MSO painted brake calipers, MSO exhausts, and 19”/20” ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels with diamond-cut spokes. The car is also accompanied by a set of Bell helmets painted to match the exterior.
Inside, the driver and passenger are surrounded by exposed painted bodywork and 1K satin carbon fiber trim with a prominent spar running the length of the cockpit. The lightweight composite seats are trimmed in full Aniline Tan leather with contrasting yellow seatbelts and unembroidered McLaren logos on the headrests. Other options include an MSO steering wheel clasp painted to match the exterior, MSO 1K carbon fiber shift paddles, an MSO dashboard finisher, and gloss visual carbon fiber lower contrasts. The portrait screen infotainment system includes navigation, Bluetooth, and Sirius XM receivers as well as dual-zone climate controls.
The most powerful of McLaren’s engines, the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 in the Elva is shared with other supercars in the Ultimate Series including the Senna and Speedtail. It produces up to 804 HP and 590 lb.-ft of torque and features a flat-plane crankshaft, dry-dump lubrication, and an advanced exhaust system made from titanium and Inconel. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch Seamless Shift automatic transmission allowing acceleration from 0-100 MPH in less than 5 seconds with a top speed of over 200 MPH. Performance features include double wishbone suspension with McLaren Adaptive Damping, ProActvie Chassis Control II, carbon ceramic brakes, and a tactile electro-hydraulic power steering system. This vehicle has been serviced and inspected to McLaren’s rigorous Certified Pre-Owned standards and remains covered under the balance of its factory warranty.
This sale will include owner’s manuals, color-coded keys, a toolkit, a car cover, a battery charger, painted helmets, and a clean title.
Comments (25)
Echoing carbuyer as another Elva owner the car is unbelievably special and so light. In my opinion this is one of the best specs as well. complimenting Arizona tan with Madeline blue, a color similar to saros with nice touches from other colors as well. I'm sure the reserve is higher than this but if the car sells today it will be a STEAL for the buyer.
Bid in the amount of $1,450,000
@CarBuyer5000 So what you are saying is the Elva drives just as a $2mill sportscar should. Very impressive ;
I'm an owner and big fan of the McLaren Elva. This one is especially beautifully customized!
The AAMS (active air management system) works like a charm up to about 75 miles per hour to deflect wind and bugs away from your face. It's great to drive on a nice spring, summer or fall day. With the AAMS you do get a breeze but it swirls around you as opposed to belting you in the face so your hair gets a can get a little tussled if you're not wearing a hat. I would alway recommend some sort of eye protection (sunglasses or clear glasses) and unless it's very warm I usually wear a baseball cap when I drive mine.
The feeling of open air driving is like no other and this car is like no other. It's an 800HP missile for sure but, because it is also so very light, it carves through turns and has the most delicious steering you can imagine. Yes, I said delicious. I couldn't think of a more appropriate word. McLaren has nailed steering feel right up with the best offerings from Porsche and Ferrari. It also has the incredible brakes from the McLaren Senna. The frontal view out of the car is complete unimpeded and just gives you an amazing connection with the road. You can't see out the back because you sit so low in the car and the rearview mirror isn't high enough but the sideview mirrors provide enough coverage to make that not a huge issue. There is a reversing camera but it only operates up to 19 mph. The Elva is surprisingly comfortable and very easy and enjoyable to drive even if you're just driving it in a casual way. It's surprisingly fun to drive at normal public road speed limits because you can appreciate your surroundings from the drivers seat in ways you can't in traditional windshield-equipped cars. There is no better car for beautiful, twisty country drives on nice days!
But when you put on the helmet to drive without the AAMS is when you can really appreciate what this car can do. Now you're unshackled from trying to keep it under 80 so the AAMS can do it's job. The helmets supplied by McLaren were aerodynamically designed to compliment the car. They have canards and a spoiler on them and they really help keep your head in place when the wind is whipping. It's an incredible adrenaline rush to drive fast with the helmet on and AAMS off because you really feel like you're driving an open cockpit race car, which you kind-of are when you consider the spec of this machine. Now you have the confidence to really push the car and test its limits. You should be on a track when you're doing this.
If you consider the Elva is not a car you're going to take to the supermarket but rather drive for the sheer pleasure of driving you might be surprised this one has over 800 miles on it. I'm not! This is a rare and glorious drivers' car and it's been nicely broken-in for it's next thrill seeker!
Good luck to all bidders!
Comparatively speaking, a $35K Sling Shot has a 178hp and accelerates to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds also. Both cars feature helmet hair.
Bid in the amount of $1,400,000
Bid in the amount of $1,325,250
Bid in the amount of $1,325,000
@TheBaron But it is such a beautiful color! I am sure she would understand... :)
@Ghost The answer to that question varies by state. Here in Pennsylvania, it is perfectly road legal with the helmets being optional. As for other states, that may be different but is worth a check!
Hmmmmm……my wife probably wouldn’t appreciate me driving a $2 million car with a color named after some other guy’s wife ???
Hi, and thank you for listing this unique car.
Could you advise if this Elva is legal for driving on US roads, and if so, whether there are any special conditions attached (helmet usage, only specific states, etc.)?
@JMS935 The car does come with its factory emergency rain cover which you can see on the passenger side in the tonneau compartment, if that's what you mean.
Bid in the amount of $1,234,567
@DriverM I have one but mine is black & green ?
Wow! Almost 2 million bucks, and no umbrella. ?
@ACSATCO the MSRP on this Elva is $1,920,929!
@JMS935 the factory window sticker was uploaded. The MSRP on this Elva was $1,920,929!
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Bid in the amount of $250,000
whats MSRP?
Hmm…No window sticker or mention of the MSRP. Strange for such a rare and new exotic, especially considering owner intended selling it.
So you say you want to go to a cars and coffee in something different? Here ya go..
just waiting for someone to say “ I have one but mine is Blue “. ?
Bid in the amount of $100,000