McLaren has opened orders for a customer version of its upcoming Le Mans Daytime Hypercar (LMDh), part of the "Project: Endurance" initiative. While it draws directly from the racer set to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2027, key differences in powertrain and setup raise questions about just how identical this road-legal track weapon truly is.
The racing car pairs a twin-turbocharged V6 with a hybrid setup consisting of an electric motor, capped at 671 horsepower to meet Balance of Performance rules. In contrast, the customer model ditches the hybrid system entirely, relying on a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 that pumps out 720 hp on its own.
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This pure combustion approach echoes Aston Martin's Valkyrie LH program, aiming to deliver race-level thrills to amateur drivers without the added complexity of electrification. McLaren's head of HyperTrack Cars, Neil Underwood, confirmed this shift during the Hypercar's recent unveiling in Australia, putting an end to earlier speculation about a matching hybrid setup.
Performance-wise, the customer car promises to eclipse even McLaren's wildest track specials like the Senna or the 829-hp Solus GT, though exact lap times remain under wraps. To suit non-pro owners, it includes adjustable traction control, refined power delivery, and braking tuned for real-world track days rather than outright endurance racing.
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Testing for both the racer and customer variants kicks off this year, with deliveries slated for late 2027. McLaren has stayed mum on production numbers, hinting it might build to demand in this ultra-exclusive segment.
What sets this apart from prior McLaren specials is its parallel development by the McLaren Automotive and McLaren Racing teams. Buyers snag more than just the keys: a two-year global track program comes standard, complete with access to engineers and pro drivers for setup tweaks and coaching sessions. It's a bold play to bridge factory racing DNA with customer ownership, but the hybrid omission underscores a deliberate pivot, prioritising raw, unassisted V6 fury over the racer's balanced hybrid punch.
For deep-pocketed enthusiasts eyeing Le Mans-inspired machinery, this could redefine track-day supremacy, even if it's not quite the full factory prototype.