2020 McLaren Sabre - Twin-Turbo 4.0L/824 HP - 100 Miles, No. 11 of 15 Produced
Engine 4.0L/824 HP
Trans Automatic
Color Liquid Argentum/Papaya
Interior Volcano Orange/Black
VIN/Serial SBMBC3CA5LW000011
The most powerful non-hybrid road car McLaren has built to date
Designed and homologated for the U.S. only
Top speed of 218 MPH
Twin turbocharged 4.0L/824 HP V-8 engine
Stealth Iconel exhaust
Rated at 590 lb-ft of torque
Gorilla Glass engine cover
7-speed dual clutch transmission
Carbon fiber body
Liquid Argentum with Gloss VCF and Liquid Papaya pinstripes
Interwoven visual carbon fiber graphics on side blades
Carbon fiber monocage chassis
Volcano Orange brake calipers with Black McLaren logo
Volcano Orange driver's seat and Carbon Black passenger seat
Liquid Papaya seat shell pinstripes
Contrasting MSO logos embroidered on headrests
Visual satin carbon fiber interior accents
Brushed Azores air vent bezels, steering wheel paddles, central screen bezel, door strut and release
Diamond-milled 7-spoke wheels in Gloss Black
Liquid Argentum center-lock nuts
The almost otherworldly McLaren Sabre launched in late 2020 as the most powerful non-hybrid road car produced by the engineering wizards at McLaren to date. One of just 15 produced, yet in fact a truly individual creation built precisely to the specifications of its original owner, this 2020 McLaren Sabre was, and remains, a true “instant icon” that will likely never be duplicated. Not only is it the ultimate McLaren road car, it also quite likely represents the most direct application of race-winning technologies and engineering prowess ever applied to the road, with amazingly purposeful styling and surprising luxury to boot.
Based on the foundation of the stunningly fast, track-focused Senna before it, the Sabre takes the hypercar concept to new extremes with its twin-turbocharged 4.0L V-8 powerplant factory-rated at 824 HP—165 more than the Senna and 20 more than even the Elva roadster. However, despite its massive power output, the Sabre is primarily a road car with obvious track capabilities and a somewhat more compliant, road-worthy ride, yet with no performance compromises. In fact, the Sabre holds the distinction of being capable of 218 MPH flat out, one MPH faster than the Senna. Consistent with the exclusive McLaren Special Operations ethos, the Sabre is incredibly rare, with just 15 examples produced in total.
Homologation was strictly for the specific requirements of the U.S. market, and when the Sabre was first announced to the public, McLaren advised that all 15 cars were already allocated to the company’s most ardent U.S.-based clients. First sightings of the new Sabre came in the fall of 2020 at California’s private Thermal Club track, where buyers enjoyed the opportunity to drive a wildly camouflaged Sabre development car, with tantalizing images of the new McLaren published throughout the motoring press. Most importantly, these test sessions afforded prospective buyers the almost-unheard of opportunity to give direct feedback from their experience via dedicated video chats with McLaren’s design and engineering teams at the company’s Woking, UK, headquarters, ensuring the Sabre would reflect its buyers’ specific needs and desires. In fact, each of the 15 Sabres features optional paint, trim and interior combinations, with each car built specifically for its new owner.
The Sabre’s dramatic body design perfectly matches its lethal, cavalry sword-inspired name, with the stunning new McLaren featuring upright, blade-type front and rear fender extensions, fully skirted doors and rockers, and an upward-sweeping side treatment terminated by upright LED tail lights, a full-width rear wing, and rear air diffusers. Sharing its essential carbon fiber monocage chassis structure with the Senna, the Sabre also features the company’s signature, upward-swinging doors and clamshell-type front and rear hatches evocative of Le Mans-worthy endurance racers. As McLaren’s widest model, the Sabre was aptly described by Car and Driver magazine editors “… with a body that appears to be shrink-wrapped over the mechanical components.” According to a July 2021 interview conducted by Car and Driver with Neil Underwood, MSO's global sales manager, “Sabre was designed with a brief to be a show car for the road.” Continuing, he stated, “Customers wanted the car to look like it arrived from space. I think we delivered.”
One of the just 15 Sabres built, this compelling specimen is car No. 11 of the incredibly limited production run by McLaren Special Operations (MSO) and shows just 100 miles. Lurking beneath the Sabre’s Corning Gorilla Glass engine cover is McLaren’s famed proprietary 3.8L V-8 engine, delivering an astounding, factory-rated 824 HP with twin turbochargers, twin intercoolers, DOHC 32-valve architecture, electronic fuel injection and a space-age Stealth Inconel exhaust system. Torque output is factory-rated at 590 lb-ft for incredible response in concert with the Sabre’s race-derived, 7-speed, dual-clutch transmission.
The Sabre’s electrifying carbon fiber body is handsomely finished in Liquid Argentum paint, accented by Gloss VCF and Liquid Papaya pinstripes plus interwoven visual carbon fiber graphics to the lower bodyside blades. The driver-focused, yet deceptively luxurious interior of the Sabre is a visual treat with a Volcano Orange driver’s seat and Carbon Black passenger seat, accented by Liquid Papaya contrast pinstripes to the seat shells and contrasting McLaren MSO logos embroidered on the headrests. Visual satin carbon fiber interior accents are handsomely complemented by brushed Azores air vent bezels, steering wheel shift paddles and the central touchscreen screen bezel, down to the door struts and release actuators. Volcano Orange brake calipers proudly carry the Black McLaren marque logo and reside behind stunning, diamond-milled, 7-spoke wheels finished in Gloss Black and fitted with Liquid Argentum center-lock nuts.
MECUM - MONTEREY - 2022 AUG 18-20
