---
title: "Watch the 804-HP, Windshield-Less McLaren Elva Get Put to the Test by F1 Driver Lando Norris"
description: "McLaren's active aero system is supposed to create an air bubble around the cabin."
date: "2020-10-21"
modified: "2020-10-21"
authors:
  - name: "Máté Petrány"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/mate-petrany"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/37181/watch-the-mclaren-elvas-air-windshield-get-put-to-the-test-by-f1-driver-lando-norris"
categories:
  - "McLaren News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Watch This"
tags:
  - "Coupe"
  - "Elva"
  - "Lando Narris"
  - "mclaren"
  - "McLaren Elva"
  - "Supercar"
---

# Watch the 804-HP, Windshield-Less McLaren Elva Get Put to the Test by F1 Driver Lando Norris

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2020/10/Screen-Shot-2020-10-21-at-1.19.52-PM.png>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

McLaren is almost ready to launch its first V6-powered model, the [already-leaked 2021 hybrid Sports Series](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/37162/mclarens-first-v6-hybrid-supercar-leaks-via-patent-images>), but behind more strictly closed doors, it's also working on its latest [Ultimate Series special, the Sabre](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/36936/the-mclaren-sabre-will-be-the-next-electrified-hypercar-from-woking>). Yet while we wait for both of those, financially confident individuals can still purchase McLaren's lightest and most hardcore product to date: [the roofless Elva](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/30985/2020-mclaren-elva-an-804-hp-open-cockpit-missile-for-our-time>). Mind you, 804 horsepower in a speedster is not for the faint at heart, and McLaren had to cut back the [Elva's production cap twice](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/32889/open-air-mclaren-elva-hypercar-production-cut-down-in-the-name-of-exclusivity>) already. But none of that mattered to McLaren's F1 driver Lando Norris, who recently took one out for a spin.

The presumably slow sales mean the turbocharged British answer to [Ferrari's equally roofless Monza](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/23675/at-the-unveiling-of-the-1-4-million-ferrari-monza-sp1-and-sp2>), Aston Martin's [upcoming V12 Speedster](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/36935/aston-martin-v12-speedster-yes-youll-definitely-have-to-worry-about-bugs>) and whatever [this open-air Lamborghini may be](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/36891/of-course-lamborghini-is-building-a-roofless-v12-speedster>) will remain a rare, fire-breathing spectacle indeed, especially with its optional windshield (which is still mandatory equipment in certain U.S. states). Elsewhere, occupants can trust their hairdos and hats to McLaren's active aero system, which is supposed to create an air bubble around the canopy by [channeling high-pressure air upwards and forwards](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8N6yet1Rc4>) through the Elva's clamshell. The effect is further amplified by a speed-sensitive Gurney flap.

To demonstrate how fun the power of a twin-turbo McLaren V8 in a rear-drive car weighing under 2,640 pounds can be, McLaren turned to Norris. While [the 20-year-old British driver](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/35753/mclarens-lando-norris-still-too-young-for-back-to-back-formula-1-indycar-races>) couldn't quite remember the script the PR team gave him, the Elva's handling characteristics definitely put a huge smile on his face.

https://youtube.com/embed/wk4E7Pi8YeQ

McLaren would also like to remind all millionaires out there that with [Gulf Oil back as their sponsor](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/35141/mclaren-is-bringing-the-classic-gulf-oil-livery-back-to-formula-1>) in Formula 1, MSO will be more than happy to paint an Elva in the correct shades of blue and orange. Kept sleek with no windshield in sight, such a speedster is always ready to race the neighbor's [Gulf-liveried Senna GTR](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/36533/mclaren-celebrates-1995-le-mans-dominance-with-some-really-out-there-senna-gtr-lms>).

![message-editor%2F1603286415945-small-12672-unitingtwoiconsofspeedinonespectacularcarglobaldebutformclarenelvagulfthemebymsoatgoodwoodspeedweek.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1603286415945-small-12672-unitingtwoiconsofspeedinonespectacularcarglobaldebutformclarenelvagulfthemebymsoatgoodwoodspeedweek.jpg>)
*McLaren Automotive*

![message-editor%2F1603286429918-small-12673-unitingtwoiconsofspeedinonespectacularcarglobaldebutformclarenelvagulfthemebymsoatgoodwoodspeedweek.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1603286429918-small-12673-unitingtwoiconsofspeedinonespectacularcarglobaldebutformclarenelvagulfthemebymsoatgoodwoodspeedweek.jpg>)
*McLaren Automotive*

![message-editor%2F1603286443337-small-12674-unitingtwoiconsofspeedinonespectacularcarglobaldebutformclarenelvagulfthemebymsoatgoodwoodspeedweek.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1603286443337-small-12674-unitingtwoiconsofspeedinonespectacularcarglobaldebutformclarenelvagulfthemebymsoatgoodwoodspeedweek.jpg>)
*McLaren Automotive*

![message-editor%2F1603286466093-small-12678-unitingtwoiconsofspeedinonespectacularcarglobaldebutformclarenelvagulfthemebymsoatgoodwoodspeedweek.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1603286466093-small-12678-unitingtwoiconsofspeedinonespectacularcarglobaldebutformclarenelvagulfthemebymsoatgoodwoodspeedweek.jpg>)
*McLaren Automotive*

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## Author
As a fan of old cars, new cars, trains, planes, buses, and you-name-it, Máté can sometimes be seen driving an Autobianchi around Budapest, much to the amusement of the children, mostly. When not time-traveling, he continues to report from the future to his American colleagues, often talking about Lotus, Ozzy Osbourne, or both.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/mpetrany>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/petrany>)