Elva

Make
McLaren
Segment
Compact

In July this year, McLaren renewed its partnership with Gulf Racing. Spotting a sports car in Gulf Racing livery isn't hard as the orange/blue combination is unmistakable, having been used on McLarens like the F1 GTR, the Ford GT, and certain Porsche race cars.

Now, the McLaren/Gulf Oil partnership has spawned another notable model in the form of the McLaren Elva Gulf Theme by McLaren Special Operations (MSO). The roadster will make its world debut at Goodwood SpeedWeek, which is happening until October 18th at the Goodwood Motor Circuit in the UK. The new event will be staged behind closed doors after the global pandemic forced the cancelation of the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The Elva joins the McLaren P1, Senna, and Speedtail models as part of the brand's Ultimate Series. With only 149 units being produced, the roadster will be one of the rarest McLarens yet. The lightweight McLaren Elva does without a roof and a windshield and utilizes an Active Air Management System (AAMS) which forms a virtual canopy over the cockpit area.

This exceptionally aerodynamic car is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine with outputs of 804 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. Although MSO will offer customers plenty of personalization options, the Gulf livery version seen here looks fantastic, with an orange line down the middle of the body complementing the primary blue paintwork.

"The McLaren Elva Gulf Theme by MSO is a striking celebration of both McLaren's history in sports car racing and our new partnership with Gulf Oil," said Ansar Ali, MSO's Managing Director. "McLaren Special Operations is committed to pushing the boundaries of the 'art of the possible' and projects like this showcase the increasingly extensive range of personalization options we can offer."

The McLaren and Gulf union traces its roots back to the 1960s, with Gulf branding appearing on McLaren's Formula 1, Indy, and Can-Am cars between 1968 and 1973. The new McLaren Elva Gulf Theme by MSO is a worthy continuation of the relationship between these two iconic brands.