There was no ambiguity when McLaren announced its Ultimate Series of cars in 2015. It was to represent the absolute pinnacle of the manufacturer’s range, a glorious showcase of pioneering technology and prodigious power.

And there can be little argument that the British manufacturer has delivered on its promise, with elite models such as the Speedtail, Senna and Senna GTR all considered to be incredible accomplishments.

However, when it comes to pure, undiluted sensory overload, arguably the Ultimate Series’ ultimate achievement is the Elva. The model is McLaren’s first open-cockpit road car and a machine designed to create an unrivalled connection between the driver, the road, and the elements. “Nothing takes you closer to the thrill” is McLaren’s way of describing the unique experience the Elva provides, and it is unlikely that anyone who has been fortunate enough to sample this most singular of hypercars would dispute it.

As befits a machine whose name is inspired by the McLaren Elva M1A, M1B, and M1C customer versions of McLaren’s Group 7 race cars of the 1960s, the Elva showcases a dramatic look that has clear links to these legendary models, featuring a low nose and pronounced front arches. The absence of a roof, side windows, and windscreen exposes the driver to the outside world like nothing else to feature a McLaren badge. But eschewing these also has another effect—the roadster is the lightest car the company has ever made, with the kerbweight a minuscule 1,269 kilograms.

The Elva is assisted in achieving this extraordinary figure with the use of other, cutting-edge technology. At its core lies a bespoke carbon-fibre monocoque chassis, based on the company’s Monocell II design, which is used by the 570S and 600LT, among others. This is complemented by an ultra-light body that comprises only three carbon fibre panels. The dramatic dihedral doors, too, are constructed from carbon fibre.

In tandem with such a focused weight-saving program, McLaren has endowed the Elva with phenomenal power, courtesy of a 4.0-litre twin turbocharged engine that generates 804 brake horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 800 Newton-meters of torque at 5,500 rpm. This is transmitted to the road via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.

The headline performance figures are predictably eye-catching; 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 6.8 seconds. For context, these are exactly the same times as McLaren quotes for its sensational Senna hypercar. The Elva’s top speed is an astonishing 326 km/h.

What is really remarkable, though, is how this ferocious speed feels from behind the wheel. For a start, while the sensation of being in the open air is, naturally, always evident, there is less turbulence in the Elva cabin than might be imagined. This is courtesy of McLaren’s innovative Active Air Management system that channels air through a central inlet in the nose of the car and out through vents in the clamshell bonnet. There’s also a carbon fibre deflector at the edge of the bonnet that deploys automatically as speed increases to assist in directing airflow around the cabin.

With the buffeting reduced, if not eliminated, there’s more opportunity to savour the addictive V-8 soundtrack that explodes into the cockpit via the quad exhaust system. The thrill that this engenders is enhanced further by sublime handling, as would be expected of a car hailed by McLaren as its most agile ever.

Electro-hydraulic steering provides unparalleled feel, while the active suspension—which has unique software, springs and damper valving—keeps the Elva composed on road and track. Sintered carbon ceramic brakes, meanwhile, endow the car with superb stopping power. The sense of complete involvement for the driver is heightened further by an instrument binnacle that’s connected to the steering column and moves with it, while carbon fibre seats provide exceptional support, even when the car approaches the limits of its performance.

With only 149 ever produced, the Elva is a much-coveted car, not least because the extensive ustomization opportunities afforded by McLaren’s Special Operations division guarantee that no two models are exactly the same.

The example offered here will no doubt hold sway with collectors as “chassis 001”. The car was ordered by its consigning owner on 30 August 2022 at McLaren Vienna (Frey Luxury Cars GmbH), with the new car order totalling €1,515,301. It was subsequently registered in Germany and has has just one owner from new. The Elva is offered with just eight kilometers on its odometer at the time of cataloguing, and features an array of attractive features that make it particularly desirable. The Elva exudes sophistication with its unique, MSO Satin Kilo Grey body colour, while the aura of understated elegance is enhanced further by black five-spoke Super Lightweight forged alloy wheels and black brake callipers.

In the cockpit, the seats are upholstered in exquisite Jet Black semi-aniline leather, while contrast stitching, piping and an embroidered headrest logo in bronze add some subtle colour. The steering wheel adds yet more elegance with a 3K Satin carbon-fibre finish and a painted centre band in bronze, while Galvanic Grey Brushed brightwork elsewhere adds to the exclusive ambience. These custom options were worth €90,931 upon configuration by the consigning owner. An owner’s manual (in German) and emergency rain cover are also supplied.

An outstanding example of McLaren’s innovation and expertise, the Elva remains one of the most ambitious elite performance cars of recent years—a machine that is equally at home blasting down backroads, being pushed to the limit on the track or even just being admired on display in a collection. As such, interest in this wonderful model is anticipated to be extremely high.