What's all this about?
It's another McLaren limited edition, but this one harks back to the company's enviable, dominant performance in the Canadian-American Challenge Cup race series - or Can-Am.
Remind me what that was all about?
The Can-Am series held throughout the 1960s and '70s were just mental. Cars weighing nothing and making the sort of power that wouldn't disgrace the TGV barrelled around race tracks with only the minimum of concessions to aerodynamics - although that conveniently overlooks ungainly creations like the Chaparral 2E (which had side-mounted radiators, a first, and a colossal rear wing mounted on two enormous poles) and 2J (using a side skirt and fans to create a semi-vacuum under the car). However, no manufacturer dominated it like McLaren, which won five consecutive championships from 1967 until 1971. This 650S Can-Am limited edition celebrates that fact.
So what do I get on my 650S Can-Am?
Carbon fibre. Lots and lots of carbon fibre. It drenches the interior. It can be found in the car's MonoCell chassis and on its retractable hard-top roof, a first for any 650S Spider (all Can-Ams are open-tops, as befitting of many of the historic racers). It is used for those louvred front wings, which reduce pressure over the front wheels and increase downforce. The special, polished quad exhausts at the rear poke out of a new carbon fibre grille too. The bonnet, Airbrake, front splitter, rear bumper centre, door blades and the '650S Can-Am' branded sill cover are all made of the stuff. Even the brakes are carbon ceramics. Lightweight, you see, like the Can-Am cars of old.
But no extra power, right?
No. Yet if you think a 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 kicking out 650hp and 678Nm is lacklustre, well... good luck to you. The Can-Am will hit 62mph from rest in 3.0 seconds flat and goes on to 204mph. Which are none too shabby stats.
It looks nice in the pictures. Is the car with it a Can-Am racer?
Yes indeed, the M1B raced by none other than Kiwi Bruce McLaren and his compatriot Chris Amon in the debut 1966 season. Thus, one of the three colours you can have is Mars Red, while the other two are Papaya Spark - a play on McLaren's signature Can-Am Orange - and Onyx Black, a hue favoured by customer teams in later seasons. Racing liveries are even included for the truly Can-Am committed.
And the wheels?
Lightweight forged alloys finished in gloss black with a diamond-cut rim, all held in place by titanium bolts and wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres.
Can you add anything more about the interior?
There's a Can-Am dedication plaque on the driver's door and the sports seats are finished in leather and carbon fibre.
Why is McLaren doing this now?
In spring 2016, when global deliveries of the 50 cars to be built begin, it will be the 50th anniversary of the first ever Can-Am race held at Mont Tremblant in Canada. Want one? Then dig deep, as you'll require £255,850 to secure one of these beauties, created by McLaren Special Operations.
Matt Robinson - 11 Oct 2015
