Launched at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the McLaren 650S replaced the four-year-old MP4-12C, the company’s first production sports car->ke506 since the F1 supercar. Available in both coupe and roadster guises, the 650S is motivated by McLaren’s award-winning, twin-turbo, 3.8-liter V-8 that's also found in the 12C and the P1 hybrid supercar.->ke177 The mill cranks out 640 horses and 500 pound-feet of torque, making the 650S slightly quicker than its competitors. The British sports car also delivers superior top speeds in both body styles. Come 2015, the Brits are expanding the 650S lineup by launching two track-prepped versions and a detuned "Club" model for the Asian market. Additionally, McLaren continues to roll out special-edition->ke2041 versions crafted by its MSO division, the most recent of which is the Le Mans limited edition.

As you might have already guessed, this sports car pays tribute to the iconic GTR racer based on the McLaren F1.->ke1159 The F1 GTR is the only McLaren to win the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1995, making 2015 the year that marks two decades since the BMW-powered supercar triumphed in France. To celebrate one of its most important benchmarks in the world of motorsport, McLaren's MSO division created a host of unique exterior and interior features for the 650S, enabling it to resemble the Le Mans-winning GTR of 1995. Read on to find out what sets this 650S apart from its regular siblings.

Updated 01/20/2015: McLaren officially announced the name and the prices for the latest special edition developed by its McLaren Special Operations units. Built to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the McLaren F1 GTR victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the new 650S Le Mans will be limited to 50 units, each priced at £244,500 - or about $371,500 at the current exchange rates.

Click past the jump to read more about the McLaren 650S F1 GTR-Inspired Limited Edition By MSO.

Exterior

Visual enhancements for this limited-edition sports car aren't massive, but they add enough features to make it stand out among other 650S models. Up front there's a new carbon-fiber splitter, while the MSO-built front fenders come with three louvers right above the wheels. Both the louvers and the roof snorkel pay tribute to the race-spec McLaren F1 GTR that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race back in 1995. Around back, the 650S receives a carbon-fiber bumper center piece, a carbon-fiber spoiler, and a carbon-fiber rear diffuser, the latter featuring a bespoke design by McLaren Special Operations.

Viewed from the sides, the limited-edition sports car showcases carbon-fiber MSO side blades, unique MSO forged, five-spoke alloy wheels and orange brake calipers. Both the wheels and the calipers are similar in design and color to those used by the F1 GTR race car this 650S recalls. The side intakes and the mirror caps also feature carbon-fiber finishes that provide a smooth contrast with the bespoke MSO exterior paint. Speaking of which, the limited-edition 650S is wrapped in a dark gray hue that's nearly identical to the color the Le Mans-winning F1 GTR was painted in. Needless to say, this sports car turns out to be a magnificent tribute vehicle to McLaren's sole Le Mans success.

Unlike the regular version, the 650S Le Mans will only be offered as a Coupe.

Interior

The interior layout of the 650S remains unchanged save for a few updates that include leather and Alcantara surfaces, as well as carbon-fiber inserts. Most of the dashboard is now covered in black leather and Alcantara, while the steering wheel is completely wrapped in the latter for better grip.

The limited-edition sports car also gets unique seats, which feature McLaren Orange Alcantara seating surfaces and special branding on the headrests. A set of bespoke floor mats, an Interior Upgrade Pack that adds carbon-fiber inserts to the center stack and door panels, and "McLaren 24 Heures Du Mans Winners 1995" badges round off the vehicle's sporty cabin.

Drivetrain

McLaren makes no mention of any engine upgrades, which means it's safe to assume this F1 GTR tribute car is motivated by the same drivetrain as the regular 650S. The rear bonnet hides McLaren's award-winning, twin-turbo, 3.8-liter, V-8 engine that sends 640 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque to the wheels through a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission.

With that much power at its disposal, the 650S needs only 2.9 seconds to charge from naught to 60 mph, while 186 mph comes in an astounding 25.4 seconds. The quarter mile is completed in 10.5 seconds at 139 mph, while top speed sits at 207 mph. Needless to say, the 650S boasts supercar performance figures.

Additional gear includes carbon-ceramic brake discs, high-performance calipers and Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires.

Drivetrain Specifications

Prices

Limited to only 50 units, the 650S Le Mans will be sold globally for £244,500. That's a whopping $371,000 at the current exchange rates (01/20/2015), which translates into a $105,500 premium over the regular 650S. For the sticker, customers will also receive an exclusive invitation for two at the 20th anniversary celebration of the famous victory at Le Mans circuit. Deliveries of the 650S Le Mans will commence in mid-2015.

Competition

Ferrari 458 Speciale

Based on the Ferrari 458 Italia, the Speciale is nearly 200 pounds lighter and benefits from an additional 34 horses when compared to its milder and older sibling. Updated to crank out 596 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, the 4.5-liter, V-8 engine enables the Speciale to hit 62 mph from a standing start in only three seconds and reach the 124-mph mark in 9.1 seconds. While it's on par with the 650S as far as 0-to-60 goes, the Italian is more than a half-second slower from naught to 124 mph.

Mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the unit also enables the sports car to reach a top speed of 202 mph, exactly five mph short of its British rival. Priced from $298,000, the 458 Speciale fetches about $30,000 more than the McLaren 650S Coupe. Of course, customers have the option to customize their Speciale beyond the regular options through Ferrari's Tailor-Made program.

Lamborghini Huracan

Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2014, the Lamborghini Huracan replaced the aging Gallardo as the company's entry-level supercar. Design-wise, this bull leaves the dated Gallardo styling behind, but borrows some of its cues from the larger and more powerful Aventador. However, the entry-level supercar does have an identity of its own and, unlike other Lambos, it received conventional doors.

The Huracan comes with a 5.2-liter, V-10 engine under its hood that sends the power to the wheels via a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. The mill is rated at 610 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, placing the Huracan right between the 458 Speciale and the 650S as far as output goes. Like its competitors, the Huracan also needs about three seconds to reach 60 mph, while top speed sits at 205 mph.

The Huracan retails from $241,945, making it cheaper than both the McLaren 650S and the Ferrari 458 Speciale. Buyers with even deeper pockets can have their Huracan customized through Lambo's Ad Personam program.

Conclusion

While the mighty F1 GTR is getting a successor of its own in the form of a P1-based track car, this limited-edition 650S seems like the perfect alternative for customers that want a piece of McLaren's Le Mans history without having to fork over millions of dollars. Sure, this sports car doesn't come cheap and it's available in limited quantities, but it's a great substitute for customers who can't afford a P1 GTR or can't buy one because they simply don't own a road-legal P1.