Gordon Murray's S1 LM Sold for $20.6 Million USD, Establishing it as the Most Expensive New Car Ever Auctioned

The bidder who wins obtains the exclusive chance to work directly with Professor Gordon Murray and Dario Franchitti on the car's ultimate specifications and development.

Rm Sotheby’s

The inaugural commission of the Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV) S1 LM has set records by selling for an astonishing $20,630,000 USD at Sotheby’s, so establishing it as the most expensive new car ever auctioned. The hypercar, created to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the McLaren F1 GTR's victory at Le Mans in 1995, is one of merely five units slated for manufacturing.

Rm Sotheby’s

The S1 LM serves as the spiritual successor to the F1 LM, epitomizing the essence of pure, peak analog driving. Central to its design is a custom-engineered 4.3-liter Cosworth V12 that produces in excess of 700 horsepower, reaching an extraordinary 12,100rpm—among the highest-revving naturally aspirated engines in road cars. Coupled with a custom six-speed manual transmission, the vehicle has a weight of only 957kg. The sale reflected the car's excitement, with the S1 LM being transported beneath a helicopter above Las Vegas during the live bidding.

The exorbitant cost signifies an extraordinary ownership experience beyond the gadget itself. The successful bidder gains the opportunity to work directly with design expert Professor Gordon Murray to establish their ideal specifications, together with personalized insights from three-time Indy 500 champion Dario Franchitti, Executive Product and Brand Director. This chance grants the buyer an exclusive position in the creation of a contemporary automotive icon.