McLaren has announced an ambitious new venture, 'Project: Endurance,' revealing a customer-focused hypercar designed for track days that mirrors their upcoming FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) contender. This groundbreaking initiative not only aims for a triumphant return to the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2027 but also offers an unprecedented opportunity for private collectors to experience top-tier endurance racing. The vehicle, showcased at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, sports a distinctive silver and orange paint scheme, paying homage to the legendary F1 GTR's development livery, a nod to McLaren's rich racing heritage and its sole Le Mans victory.

This innovative program stands apart from past endeavors by other manufacturers, as McLaren is committing to produce a series of WEC-level hypercars specifically for its clientele. These machines will share the same potent twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid powertrain as the professional race cars and will be meticulously constructed by the renowned race car builder Dallara. Beyond simply owning a formidable track weapon, 'Project: Endurance' provides an immersive experience, granting owners exclusive behind-the-scenes access to McLaren’s WEC operations, including interactions with key team members and invitations to witness their Le Mans campaign firsthand. Furthermore, an exclusive 'arrive-and-drive' program will simplify track day participation, ensuring owners can fully enjoy their high-performance vehicles on premier global circuits with comprehensive support.

Reviving a Legacy: McLaren's Le Mans Vision

At the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, McLaren introduced 'Project: Endurance,' a prototype for a customer track-focused variant of its intended FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) challenger. This vehicle features a new paint scheme that evokes the familiar silver-and-orange colors used during the testing and development of the McLaren F1 GTR, the racing version of the F1 that famously triumphed at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans. McLaren's goal is to secure a second victory at this prestigious endurance event when it joins the top WEC Hypercar class in 2027, marking a significant return to high-level prototype racing.

The display of 'Project: Endurance' symbolizes McLaren’s aspiration to replicate its past success at Le Mans. The chosen silver-and-orange livery is a deliberate throwback to the F1 GTR's testing phase, a car that, while racing in a more subdued black livery, secured McLaren's only outright victory at Le Mans. This move signals a strong intent from the Woking-based manufacturer to leverage its heritage while forging a new path in modern endurance racing. The project underscores McLaren's commitment to the WEC Hypercar class, aiming to compete for overall honors in one of motorsport’s most demanding disciplines. This strategic entry into the WEC not only aims for competitive success but also seeks to reconnect with a storied past, drawing parallels to their legendary F1 success.

The Ultimate Track Machine for Discerning Owners

Unlike its predecessor, the F1, the final iteration of Project: Endurance is not a road car adapted for racing; it is a purpose-built machine adhering to the latest LMDh hybrid regulations governing both the WEC’s Hypercar and North America’s IMSA GTP classes. McLaren aims to involve its customers in this journey, offering them the unique opportunity to own vehicles that are as close as possible to the cars competing at Le Mans in 2027. These customer Hypercars will be equipped with the identical twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid powertrain found in the professional race cars and will be manufactured by the esteemed race-car constructor, Dallara.

This endeavor represents an unprecedented step in the automotive industry, as McLaren is poised to become the first manufacturer to build and offer a series of WEC Hypercars directly to customers. While other high-performance vehicles like the Aston Martin Valkyrie and the Porsche 963 RSP have explored similar concepts, McLaren’s approach is unique in its commitment to a production series. Beyond the vehicle itself, 'Project: Endurance' participants will gain unparalleled behind-the-scenes access to McLaren’s WEC racing program, including direct engagement with key personnel and drivers. They will also receive invitations to Le Mans, enabling them to witness McLaren’s attempt to win the race firsthand. The comprehensive package includes an "arrive-and-drive" program, where owners' cars are transported to various global racing circuits over two years, providing dedicated driver coaching and a pit crew for each customer, thereby ensuring a seamless and high-level racing experience.