The McLaren Elva comes with a windscreen, but only on 149 units of the special edition

When production of the McLaren Elva was announced, we were all shocked. This barchetta-style supercar did not have a windscreen! An element that seemed essential for a car capable of reaching 300 km/h and that apparently left the driver unprotected from the effects of the wind. The explanation soon emerged: the Active Air Management System (Active Air Management System, AAMS) was responsible for redirecting the air efficiently and creating a shield against the wind.

Now, the British manufacturer has reconsidered this design and has decided to produce a special edition of this model with a windscreen. This decision was taken to satisfy a certain number of buyers who prefer to have a windscreen and, in addition, to be able to homologate the model in several US states.

With a windscreen, but without losing aerodynamics

The inclusion of the windscreen does not mean a loss of the aerodynamic characteristics of the original Elva. This variant keeps the AAMS, which creates a dome of air around the driver and the passenger. The windscreen has been designed to fulfil the service for which it is intended, offering an extra safety benefit to the user.

One of this model’s virtues is its low weight, so this was taken into account when adding the windscreen. It has water jets for cleaning. It also features windscreen wipers with rain sensor and sun visors. The heated glass is framed in a carbon fibre support. Despite all this, the total weight of the windscreen assembly is 20 kg, so it does not have a significant impact on the vehicle’s total weight.

Under the bonnet remains the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that delivers 814 CV of power and a maximum torque of 800 Nm, so it keeps all the spark of the original version of the model. This power is sent to the rear axle through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

The version with the windscreen has been finished in the Satin Casa Blue livery, which pays tribute to the racing cars driven by Bruce McLaren, a design created by the MSO department, and other options are available. However, this variant is limited to just 149 units, so you need to be quick to get one.