McLaren celebrates legendary Le Mans victory with limited-run 720S
Twenty-five years on from winning Le Mans with the F1 GTR, McLaren has announced a special tribute 720S.
Just 50 models will be produced to celebrate the 1995 24-hour event in which JJ Lehto, Yannick Dalmas and Masanori Sekiya took victory on McLaren’s first attempt at the grueling race.
Each 720S Le Mans has a roof scoop like the GTR, plus unique five-spoke wheels that echo the original racer. There’s a lightweight polycarbonate rear window and gold-painted brake calipers to finish the look. Inside there are carbon fiber bucket seats, trimmed in Alcantara, with headrests embroidered with an anniversary logo. Only two exterior colors are offered: McLaren Orange or Sarthe Grey, with interior trim to match.
The scoop is more than cosmetic, channeling extra cooling and extra heat evacuation. Louvres in the carbon-fiber front fenders slash weight and reduce lift. Both give the 720S Le Mans that extra bit of track focus.
Cynics may bemoan yet another limited series McLaren, but this one does, at least, mark something momentous. And, with the company struggling to stay afloat, laying off staff and potentially selling part of the Formula 1 team, you can hardly blame them for trying to cash in with this $360,000 special. We’ll take ours in orange.
