This latest release from LCD Models seems to have flown under the collector radar. Is that down to a lack of marketing, or is the subject matter itself to blame? We lean toward the latter. The McLaren Elva is certainly a polarizing choice; its roofless, speedster design language departs dramatically from the established styling cues of modern Woking supercars. It won’t appeal to every collector—and that is perfectly fine.
Unveiled as part of McLaren’s ultra-exclusive Ultimate Series, the Elva is an open-cockpit speedster designed to deliver an uncompromising, raw connection between driver and road. Drawing inspiration from Bruce McLaren’s iconic M1A, M1B, and M1C sports racers of the 1960s, the car famously eliminates both the roof and windshield in its purest form. To protect occupants from high-speed wind blast, McLaren developed an innovative Active Air Management System (AAMS), which channels incoming air through the front nose and channels it over the cockpit to create a virtual “bubble” of calm. It stands as one of the lightest road cars McLaren has ever produced, utilizing bespoke carbon fibre construction for everything from the chassis to the featherweight body panels.
Underneath its sculptural bodywork sits a mid-mounted 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine pushing out 804 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. This powertrain rockets the speedster from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds and past 124 mph (200 km/h) in just 6.7 seconds—making it faster around a circuit than a Senna in straight-line acceleration. Originally capped at 399 units before production limits were trimmed further to preserve exclusivity, the Elva stands out as a radical exercise in aerodynamic efficiency and raw mechanical engagement.
As for the model itself, the LCD McLaren Elva offers exceptional value at roughly $120 CAD. Several exterior colorways were available at the time of writing; we opted for Metallic Grey over a brown interior—in our view, the most tasteful and understated configuration of the lot.
The exterior paint finish is well above average, even for a budget-friendly model. A blend of diecast metal panels and plastic components completes the build, and the overall execution is rock-solid. Best of all: this LCD sample arrived with zero quality control issues!
The overall body lines and execution easily meet our standards, packing in plenty of surprise features for such an approachable price point. Alongside full interior access, the rear spoiler is fully functional, while removable access panels reveal the front luggage space and the rear engine bay. Even better, the active front wind deflector (AAMS) is operational via a small button hidden on the undercarriage. In short, this model delivers massive bang for the buck.
Above-average detailing inside the main lighting units. Realistic carbon fibre texturing highlights the lower bumper splitter and surrounding aero components.
A large, functional rear wing takes center stage, framed by crisp perforated photo-etch grilles and additional carbon fibre trim.
Superb wheel execution right down to the branded tire sidewalls. Massive calipers clamp down on cross-drilled rotors for a high-end look.
Carbon fibre weave is visible across key structural areas, including the tub and central tub elements. While instrument and seat detailing are somewhat simplified, LCD deserves full credit for including OEM badging, door sill decaling, and center console accents.
The LCD McLaren Elva is an absolute steal. LCD hit the mark on multiple levels, out-specifying models two to three times its price point. While the real car’s speedster styling remains polarizing, McLaren enthusiasts and diecast collectors alike shouldn’t hesitate. For $120, it’s a brilliant addition to any collection.
