Friday 16th October 2020

McLaren Elva Gulf Theme debuts at Speedweek

Goodwood's closed-doors event sees MSO's open-roof special dressed in iconic livery

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McLaren has added its roof and windscreen-less Elva to the list of cars available with a Gulf Theme livery, which has returned to the brand’s option list thanks to the recent partnership between the car and oil firm. The MSO creation is on show at Goodwood Speedweek - the ideal setting for the Elva to demonstrate its active air management system and 815hp twin-turbo V8 to an online audience. 

The open top hypercar is McLaren’s £1.4 million carbon-tubbed tribute to its iconic Can-Am racers of the past, including Bruce McLaren’s winning M6A. It’s running at Goodwood is therefore fitting, even if it is not a racing car and will only be enjoyed by 149 buyers (production cut from the original 399 run due to parts supply limitations and a lack of room on the busy production line, according to McLaren).

It means that the Elva will be an even rarer sight on the road – or more likely showstand. Which is a shame, because there’s plenty of cool technology packed into its unique panels, most notably its air shifting nose design and Gurney flap. As our drive last year showed, the air pressure around your noggin is substantially reduced; lifting your hand above this ‘protected’ zone emphasises the change in airflow and just how much work that front end is doing. The Gulf theme just makes it all that bit cooler, doesn’t it?

The theme isn’t exclusive to McLaren’s seven-figure specials - understandably it is keen to extract as much mileage from its new relationship as possible - although expect the manufacturer to be talking at great length about electrification in the near future. McLaren’s new V6-powered supercar – due out in 2021 – is also the first of its High-Performance Hybrid model range. Rest assured the firm is working as hard on the future as it is celebrating the past.

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[TheBALDpuma]

I do usually like the Gulf colour scheme but it really, really, really does not suit this car!

[Maccmike8]

Of all the roof and windscreenless exotica recently revealed. This just about looks ok. Actually think the Gulf livery isnt helping it.Hopefully the manufactures will give up on this narcissistic look at me.

[take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey]

It looks like one of those sit in rides you used to get inside supermarkets...that is truly awful.

[Mr.Jimbo]

Genuinely thought it was a new model name when I saw the title.

Proof reading team had a few jars at Speedweek already?

[waynecyclist]

Looks like a Hotwheels model

[MX-6]

I like the design of this, it's pretty clean looking without all the vents and wings that you see on some other hypercars these days.

The Gulf theme is fun I guess.

I'm not into the white seats, they don't seem to fit with the type of car for me, looks like there should be something a bit more black and functional looking.

[Gameface]

Awful.

[5pen]

Evla or Elva. Which is it?

[Olivera]

Evla ???

[loudlashadjuster]

take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:

It looks like one of those sit in rides you used to get inside supermarkets...that is truly awful.

Arf.

[Nerdherder]

Just in case it DOES get fixed fast. I do like the concept and look of the car.

Edited by Nerdherder on Friday 16th October 13:16

[Chubbyross]

I have to say, hand on heart, I’d be really embarrassed to be seen in that. But I guess I’m not their target market.

[anonymous-user]

waynecyclist said:

Looks like a Hotwheels model

My thoughts exactly. It's awful, but par for the course.

[Leftfootwonder]

Chubbyross said:

I have to say, hand on heart, I’d be really embarrassed to be seen in that. But I guess I’m not their target market.

Because of the car or the colour scheme? (whisper it) i've never been a fan of the Gulf colours but I wouldn't say not to an 'Evla'.

[ate one too]

" and will only be enjoyed by 149 buyers (production cut from the original 399 run due to parts supply limitations and a lack of room on the busy production line, according to McLaren)."

[anonymous-user]

TheBALDpuma said:

I do usually like the Gulf colour scheme but it really, really, really does not suit this car!

I agree. ''Theme'' cars that haven't earned their stipes so to speak always seem a bit desperate to me. Besides, anyone who can afford one of these can probably afford a real racing car in period gulf livery.

[LotusOmega375D]

You don’t associate McLaren with this colour scheme. Even when the F1 was sponsored by Gulf it was a much darker metallic blue. This looks dreadful.

[ch37]

I bet the press office had fun trying to invent reasons for slashing the production run.

£350m (minimum) in lost sales from what was forecast must be a kick in the teeth though.

Edited by ch37 on Friday 16th October 15:34

[anonymous-user]

LotusOmega375D said:

You don’t associate McLaren with this colour scheme. Even when the F1 was sponsored by Gulf it was a much darker metallic blue. This looks dreadful.

The Davidoff car carried off the light blue Gulf colours really well but I agree rightly, or wrongly, not a livery I'd immediately associate with McLaren

[wtdoom]

The Elvira really is a turd , whatever colour you paint it in