McLaren Will Hand-Pick Who Gets to Buy Its Le Mans-Inspired Hypercar

With Project Endurance, McLaren is on the hunt to replicate its 1995 Le Mans victory. Thirty years ago, a crack team of drivers piloted the #59 F1 GTR around the French circuit to the top of the podium. Now, McLaren’s plotting its return for 2027, in the hypercar division, developing a hybrid that’ll dominate on Circuit de la Sarthe—and a variant that customers can buy for non-competitive track days. 

But you can’t just walk into a McLaren dealership, wave your Black Amex, and expect to get one of the 30 to 35 globally allocated Project Endurance customer cars. McLaren must select you. What criteria is the marque employing? “We’d like to reward local customers who’ve been buying McLaren cars for many years,” says Neil Underwood, McLaren’s Head of Hyper Track Programs. “But we’re also conscious that this is an extreme track car, so we’re looking at bringing customers with the right profile from other brands to become part of this.”

McLaren has 102 retailers globally, and a number are multi-franchise options where, say, Bugattis are sold alongside McLarens. It’s the ultra-VIPs from those establishments that would get first consideration, particularly if they’re active collectors or track-hounds, says Underwood. Viable track experience can take a variety of forms, whether the Project Endurance applicant has run through McLaren’s proprietary Artura Trophy series or its Pure Experience programs, or competed in IMSA races such as the 24 Hours of Daytona. “We’re about getting the customer ready as they go through the process. The Project Endurance won’t be ready for two and a half years, so you have time to grow as a driver,” says Underwood.

Project: Endurance will be powered by a race-built V6 twin turbo hybrid powertrain, built in partnership with renowned race car constructor, Dallara, to compete in the LMDh (Le Mans Daytona Hybrid) class. Italian-based Dallara is responsible for underpinning a slew of potent race steeds, including all IndyCars, all Formula 2 cars, and the Ferrari 499P (which recently won Le Mans), among others. Dallara already has Project Endurance undergoing wind testing in Italy, and the drivetrain is currently running on the development dyno, says Underwood. 

The customer variant will be more powerful than the race version, limited by balance of performance (BoP) restrictions. While the race car’s twin-turbo V6 hybrid heart is expected to produce 670 horsepower, the customer car should be closer to 730 horsepower. “In a professional’s hands, we expect the car to be as quick as the race car,” says Underwood. “But it’s built to be safely enjoyed, too.” 

While fundamentally the same car, McLaren will modify things like tires, traction control, the way the car brakes, and more to ensure amateurs aren’t overwhelmed behind Project Endurance’s wheel. “For example, there will be more traction control settings than on the race car,” says Underwood. “The engine map can be turned down, so when it’s wet, it’s not running full power. And its power delivery is more linear.” 

McLaren pledges to bring Endurance customers into the development fold over the coming years. “This is exciting,” Underwood says. “We have commitment from both [McLaren Automotive CEO] Nick Collins and [McLaren Racing CEO] Zak Brown to provide unprecedented access to these customers. We take them on a journey, meet the drivers on the World Endurance Championship [WEC] team, and come to the first WEC test we do. They’ll drive the car in the WEC simulator, and, in 2027, when we start racing, the customers will be with us at Le Mans, almost team members.” This is all included with the price of Project Endurance, a number which Underwood declines to disclose beyond noting its seven figures.

Also included: a series of track drives over two years, to give customers a taste of being an endurance driver. “Silverstone is on the calendar,” says Underwood, noting it’s a flagship event. “We want to do a night event at Abu Dhabi’s circuit, so customers can experience one of their six events with the car at night, to get a feel of what it’s like to drive at Le Mans.” 

No matter how good on track, customers won’t get a chance at a seat in the Le Mans Endurance car. “For our 2027 assault on the WEC, we want to win,” smiles Underwood. “McLaren is on a winning streak at the moment within F1, and McLaren Arrow is on the up in IndyCar, and we want to continue that. The team that’s been put together for WEC requires professional drivers coming out of existing WEC seats or perhaps ex-F1 level, to ensure the right combo.” 

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Click here for more photos of the 2027 McLaren Le Mans Hypercar.