The ultimate roadster experience: Windscreen version of McLaren Elva enters production

British supercar manufacturer McLaren Automotive will shortly commence production of the windscreen version of its Mclaren Elva roadster. 

Designed for customers who prefer to have a physical screen rather than the barrier of air provided by the Active Air Management System (AAMS), the windscreen variant - which will be among the rarest of McLarens - is revealed in full for the first time, with images of the prototype car.

While having had its own engineering programme to optimise aerodynamic and dynamic performance, the windscreen Elva shares all of the ethos and performance of the original car. Neither has a roof, side windows or rear screen, which when combined with a dry weight of less than 1,300kg and a mid-mounted, 804bhp twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine, delivers superlative driver exhilaration. 

The screenless Elva is McLaren Automotive's lightest-ever road car, and the target for the windscreen version is a mere 20kg addition in weight, despite the added heated glass windscreen. The AAMS is deleted as it is no longer needed.

The acceleration of both versions is comparable with that of a McLaren Senna - zero to 100km/h is dispatched in 2.8 seconds, and 200km/h is attained in 6.8 seconds. Dynamic performance and vehicle stiffness remain unchanged from the screenless car. 

The Elva links McLaren's heritage to its present and future with a name and style that recalls the McLaren-Elva race cars of the 1960s. These were amongst the first sportscars designed and raced by Bruce McLaren and the company that he founded, and today's Elva was created to evoke the spirit of driving enjoyment symbolised by these cars. 

Demand for bespoke customisation of this kind by McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has produced a series of dramatic and unique cars that stand out even among one of the rarest of McLarens - no more than 149 examples of the Elva will be specified and built to customer order.

The first examples of the windscreen Elva will be delivered to customers towards the end of this year, following personalisation by MSO.