Tag Archives: McLaren

Lanzante 95-59: A $1.6 Million Three-Seat Supercar with Le Mans DNA

In a world where hypercars are often synonymous with overcomplication and excessive weight, Lanzante has unveiled a refreshing counterpoint: the 95-59, a three-seat, V8-powered supercar that bridges the past, present, and future of driver-focused engineering. Premiering this week at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the 95-59 is more than just a car—it’s a rolling homage to one of motorsport’s greatest triumphs.

A Name Rooted in Racing Glory

The “95-59” name isn’t arbitrary. It pays direct tribute to the #59 McLaren F1 GTR, run by Lanzante, that clinched overall victory at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans—an achievement that forever etched the UK-based outfit into endurance racing history. Now, three decades later, Lanzante distills everything it has learned since that win into a road-going machine that channels the soul of the McLaren F1 with a thoroughly modern twist.

Three Seats, One Vision

Like the original F1—and the more recent McLaren Speedtail and GMA T.50—the 95-59 features a central driving position flanked by two passenger seats, emphasizing driving purity and balance. Access to this unique cabin is granted via dihedral doors, reinforcing its McLaren-derived DNA. While Lanzante is keeping much of the interior under wraps, glimpses reveal a minimalist cockpit with physical controls arranged intuitively around—and even above—the driver, harking back to analog racing machines.

Power-to-Weight Masterclass

At the heart of the 95-59 is a McLaren-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, churning out 850 horsepower and 649 lb-ft of torque. There’s no hybrid system here—just raw combustion power channeled to the rear wheels via a seven-speed Seamless Shift Gearbox (SSG). The result? A blistering 0–62 mph time of around 2.5 seconds, and a power-to-weight ratio of 700 hp per tonne—a figure that not only eclipses the original F1 by 158 hp/tonne, but puts it within striking distance of the 1183 hp Ferrari F80.

Lightweight, Laser-Focused

With a target curb weight of just 1,250 kg (2,756 lbs), the 95-59 benefits from a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and full carbon bodywork. The optional LM30 Pack—which includes forged aluminum wheels, titanium exhaust tips, and gold-plated heat shielding—shaves off an additional 20 kg, further sharpening its already scalpel-like dynamics.

Beneath the skin lies a McLaren Monocage chassis, the same carbon structure found under the P1, Senna, and 720S, but adapted by Lanzante to accommodate its unique three-seat layout. A large active rear wing, designed to provide additional downforce under load, ensures the rear stays firmly planted in high-speed corners and straights alike.

Design by a McLaren Mastermind

Styling duties were led by Paul Howse, the designer behind the P1, 570S, and 720S. The result is a familiar yet distinct silhouette, punctuated by aerodynamic sculpting and a bullet-like profile that speaks to both function and form. Painted in Ueno Gray, the same livery worn by the ’95 Le Mans-winning F1 GTR, the 95-59 proudly wears its heritage on its sleeve—despite bearing no McLaren badging.

Howse remarks: “I like to think we’ve created something that is unlike anything else—building its own legacy.”

Limited, But Not Out of Reach

Just 59 examples of the Lanzante 95-59 will be produced, each priced from £1.2 million (approximately $1.63 million USD). While that’s a substantial investment, it undercuts McLaren’s own Speedtail by nearly half and offers a far more exclusive experience than any production supercar currently on the market.

The Legacy Continues

Founder Dean Lanzante described the car as “the result of everything I personally and we, as a business, have learned and experienced over three decades since winning Le Mans.” And with the 95-59, Lanzante isn’t just reviving the spirit of the F1—it’s proving that passion, precision, and performance can still come together in a way that honors the past while setting a new benchmark for the future.

Source: Lanzante

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McLaren Unveils W1 Supercar and Honors 30 Years Since Le Mans Win

McLaren Automotive is set to light up the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed with a stunning showcase of innovation, performance, and motorsport heritage — all anchored by the global public debut of the all-new McLaren W1.

The striking W1 headlines McLaren’s presence at this year’s Festival, aligning perfectly with the event’s official theme, “Champions and Challengers.” Unveiled to the public for the first time at McLaren House, the W1 marks the third chapter in McLaren’s elite ‘1’ car lineage, following the trailblazing McLaren F1 and P1™.

With just 399 units allocated, the W1 is already fully spoken for. And it’s no wonder: it features an all-new 1,275PS V8 hybrid powertrain, rear-wheel drive, and advanced active aerodynamics inspired by Formula 1. It’s a brutal yet refined driving experience tailored for both road and track — a formula that defines McLaren’s engineering ethos across generations.

Honoring Le Mans Glory – 30 Years On

McLaren is also celebrating a major motorsport milestone at Goodwood: 30 years since its iconic victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1995, McLaren stunned the motorsport world by winning on its debut, and this year, that legendary F1 GTR makes a rare return to dynamic action — piloted up the hill by none other than JJ Lehto, one of the original winning trio.

Accompanying this Le Mans tribute is the debut of the new 750S Le Mans, a special edition supercar built in homage to the legendary F1 LM. Limited to just 50 units, it features a McLaren Special Operations (MSO) High Downforce Kit designed to elevate track performance while visually echoing the drama of its Le Mans heritage.

Solus GT: A Vision Revisited

Back for a third consecutive appearance is McLaren’s most radical track machine: the Solus GT. This track-only hypercar — powered by a screaming 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 producing 840PS — has become a crowd favorite, famously winning the Timed Shootout Final in 2023. This year, a unique customer-owned Solus GT will once again climb the hill, highlighting MSO’s custom artistry and McLaren’s unfiltered pursuit of performance.

Celebration Editions and Community Spirit

Adding further flair to McLaren’s 2025 lineup are the 750S and Artura Celebration Edition models, each limited to just nine examples. These ultra-exclusive cars feature a bespoke Papaya Orange and Anthracite livery, commemorating McLaren’s 2024 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship triumph. Their dynamic runs at Goodwood are set to be among the festival’s standout moments.

Additionally, McLaren is marking 10 years of its ‘Longtail’ (LT) series — a decade of lightweight, driver-focused evolution. The brand’s Celebrate LT initiative has brought together global LT owners throughout the year, culminating in a special Goodwood appearance. LT models from McLaren’s Heritage collection will feature in the Supercar Paddock and take part in dynamic demonstrations.

From groundbreaking debuts to tributes steeped in racing legend, McLaren’s 2025 Goodwood presence cements its dual identity as both innovator and icon. As the W1 takes center stage and the echoes of Le Mans glory reverberate through the hills of Sussex, McLaren proves once again that it doesn’t just chase performance — it defines it.

Source: McLaren

Australian Police Seized $20M Supercar Collection in Pharmaceutical Fraud Case

In the world of exotic cars, few sights are as arresting as a custom Lamborghini Aventador SVJ or a McLaren 765LT adorned with MSO options. But when these machines are hauled away on flatbeds as part of a criminal investigation, their allure takes on a much darker tone. That’s exactly what happened in New South Wales, Australia, where law enforcement recently seized a jaw-dropping collection of high-end vehicles from the property of a 58-year-old man now facing serious white-collar crime charges.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) began investigating the man in early 2023 following allegations tied to fraudulent claims under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), a federal program designed to make prescription medications affordable for Australians. Authorities believe that for nearly a decade—between 2014 and 2023—the man, believed to be a licensed pharmacist, made false claims amounting to more than AU$10 million (US$7 million).

The fallout from the investigation has been dramatic. In a coordinated operation, authorities raided both the suspect’s Dural residence and a pharmacy in Cabramatta East, seizing not only his place of business and personal home but also a fleet of rare and performance-focused vehicles that would make any automotive enthusiast’s jaw drop.

Among the 12 cars seized were:

  • A custom Lamborghini Aventador SVJ and a Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae, both symbols of peak Italian V12 engineering.
  • Two Ferraris, including a 488 Pista and a 488 GTB, the former being a track-focused homage to Ferrari’s racing legacy.
  • A McLaren 765LT, finished in black with red accents and MSO (McLaren Special Operations) customization—an elite spec for one of the brand’s most extreme road-legal machines.
  • Seven BMWs, including a matte black G80 M3 and a luxury 7-Series, underscoring the suspect’s taste for both performance and executive comfort.

But this wasn’t just a car lover’s loss. Authorities also froze several of the man’s bank accounts and confiscated real estate, bringing the total value of seized assets to over AU$20 million (approximately US$13.15 million). The man now faces two counts of dealing with proceeds of crime worth AU$1 million or more, alongside two counts of dishonesty causing a loss to the Commonwealth. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 35 years in prison.

What sets this case apart isn’t just the scale of the alleged fraud—it’s the unmistakable intersection of financial crime and automotive passion. These vehicles weren’t just casually acquired. Their rarity, customization, and pristine condition suggest a deep, even obsessive, appreciation for performance cars. The McLaren 765LT with MSO touches and the Ultimae version of the Aventador indicate someone who understood the significance of limited production models and sought exclusivity at every turn.

Ironically, these very symbols of luxury and exclusivity may now be auctioned off to support crime prevention and law enforcement initiatives. If prosecutors secure a conviction, the confiscated assets will be sold, with proceeds funneled into the Commonwealth Confiscated Assets Account—a kind of poetic justice, where million-dollar hypercars end up funding efforts to stop future financial crime.

This story serves as a stark reminder that behind every polished carbon fiber splitter or roaring V12, there’s often a deeper story. In this case, it’s one of alleged deception and a dramatic fall from luxury. The cars may yet roar again—but not for the man who once called them his own.

Source: 7News Australia

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