By Contributor,Trinity Francis

Copyright forbes

Three McLarens traveled through eight States covering nearly 4,000 miles in the process
beadyeye.tv LTD / McLaren

Three decades on from McLaren’s victory at the 1995 Le Mans, a 750S Coupe, 750S Spider and Artura Spider completed an American endurance journey covering 3,867 miles. Dubbed the ‘States of Endurance’ road trip, the program saw the vehicles exceed the mileage typically driven throughout the Le Mans 24 hour race.

Henrik Wilhelmsmeyer, chief commercial officer at McLaren Automotive said: “Endurance racing represents McLaren’s tenacity, and the States of Endurance journey is a perfect intersection of our endurance heritage with the cutting-edge engineering, technologies and uncompromising standards that make our supercars capable of experiences that still resonate with the driver long after the journey ends.”

Each car had a distinct wrap to represent different parts of the race.
McLaren Automotive

Wilhelmsmeyer continued: “We have brought our community of passionate fans and clients together to experience the thrill and resilience that defines McLaren, while our States of Endurance drivers have discovered for themselves how endurance can transcend beyond the track, to be feeling; a mindset to live by.”

Starting from Monterey, California, the cars were displayed during Monterey Car Week in three distinct liveries. As a nod to each phase of a 24 hour race, the States of Endurance liveries represent dawn, day and night. Other stops along the nearly 4,000 mile road trip included events in Newport Beach, Scottsdale, Dallas, Atlanta, Orlando and Miami in partnership with local McLaren retailers.

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Refuelling along the way.
beadyeye.tv LTD / McLaren

As well as looking back at McLaren’s successful endurance racing history, the States of Endurance project was a forward-looking initiative. Both automotive and racing divisions of McLaren are collaborating to create a McLaren LMDh hypercar that will return to the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2027.

Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing said: “McLaren Racing’s return to the FIA World Endurance Championship marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for us. We have a rich history in the sport together with McLaren Automotive, having raced and won on our first attempt at Le Mans in 1995. This customer programme will offer buyers an incredible chance to own an authentic race car and get closer to the action on track.”

McLaren has its sights set on endurance racing in 2027.
McLaren Automotive

While full details on the WEC LMDh hypercar have yet to be released, McLaren has confirmed the car will be propelled through the rear wheels by a racing-specific V6 twin turbo hybrid powertrain. McLaren has partnered with race car constructor Dallara to develop the engine. Dallara is also the exclusive partner of the NTT INDYCAR Series.

The States of Endurance trip showcased McLaren’s current supercar lineup. Following the unveiling of the W1 last year, the brand’s latest ‘1’ car is expected to start reaching customer hands in early 2026. Of the 399 examples in the limited edition run, all are said to have been allocated to customers. Succeeding the P1 and before that the F1, it’s undoubtedly the pinnacle of the manufacturer’s performance technology.

The McLaren W1 is set to be the new pinnacle of McLaren’s road-going models.
McLaren Automotive

Powered by a new V8 engine with 928hp and a red line at 9,200rpm, the W1 is expected to be the fastest accelerating and quickest road legal McLaren on the track to date. In a straight line, McLaren claims it’s quicker to 186mph than a Speedtail and three seconds faster around a track than the McLaren Senna.

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