During a event at the Wynn Las Vegas ahead of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the first-ever Gordon Murray S1 LM sold for a staggering $20.6 million. The sale, hosted by RM Sotheby’s, officially makes this the most expensive new car ever sold at auction (excluding charity sales), snatching the crown previously held by the one-off Bugatti Chiron Profilée.
If you know the legendary McLaren F1, you know the “LM” badge is sacred. It stands for Le Mans, and on the original F1, it signified the ultra-rare, race-bred road cars built to celebrate McLaren’s 1995 victory at the 24-hour race.
The S1 LM is Gordon Murray’s modern spiritual successor to that icon. Based on the architecture of the T.50 but radically evolved, it is a pure, unadulterated driver’s car.
- The Engine: A bespoke 4.3-liter Cosworth V12 that screams to a dizzying 12,100 rpm.
- The Power: Over 700 horsepower in a car that targets a featherweight 957 kg (2,110 lbs).
- The Experience: A 6-speed manual gearbox and a central driving position (just like the F1).
Unlike modern electric hypercars that rely on silence and software, the S1 LM is a celebration of noise, vibration, and mechanical connection. Only five will ever be built, making it one of the rarest cars on the planet.
With a final price of $20.63 million, the S1 LM proves that while the automotive world moves toward electrification, collectors are still willing to pay absolute top dollar for the pinnacle of analog engineering.
