This stunning specimen was captured in an underground parking garage in Vilamoura, Portugal. Not only is the color exceptionally beautiful, but what also catches the eye is the presence of the windshield, which was not originally part of the design plan.
The originally announced production quantity of 399 units for the McLaren Elva has been reduced to 249 and then further reduced to just 149 units. In order to obtain road legality in more markets, a windshield version has been developed in Woking, minimizing the weight increase.
Compared to the original Elva Speedster model, the Elva with windshield is only 20 kilograms heavier. This is an impressive achievement considering that McLaren has incorporated a windshield, windshield wipers with washers, and a rain sensor. Not only that, but the windshield, housed in carbon fiber pillars, is heated. As a finishing touch, sun visors have also been added.
The windshield variant was designed for customers who prefer a physical barrier to the air provided by the Active Air Management System (AAMS). Despite having its own development program to optimize aerodynamics and dynamic performance, the Elva with windshield shares the overall ethos and performance of the original vehicle: no roof, side windows, or rear windshield, combined with a dry weight of less than 1300 kg and a centrally mounted, 815 PS twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine for ultimate driving pleasure.
The windshield-equipped Elva is McLaren Automotive's lightest road car to date, with the goal for the windshield version being only 20 kg heavier. The Active Air Management System (AAMS) is no longer present as it does not play a role in the windshield-equipped vehicle.
The acceleration of both versions is comparable to that of a McLaren Senna. The model without a windshield achieves 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and covers the 0-200 km/h sprint in 6.8 seconds. The dynamic performance and vehicle stiffness also remain unchanged compared to the open-top variant. While the fixed windshield provides greater protection from the elements, it does not in any way diminish the thrill of the driving experience.
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