• McLaren Ho Chi Minh has stepped into next new chapter: a collaboration of automotive and the arts.
• The Elva features the design of renowned French contemporary artist, Hom Nguyen, who has chosen to draw his artwork “Icarus” on carbon fibre material for the first time.
• The project was commissioned by Vietnamese art patron, Mr. Pham Tran Nhat Minh.

British luxury supercar maker McLaren Automotive is proud to announce the unveiling today of a bespoke McLaren Elva in Vietnam. A special commission by Mr. Pham Tran Nhat Minh – one of Vietnam’s few McLaren Ultimate model collectors – this unique McLaren Elva features the artwork of French artist Hom Nguyen.

The McLaren Elva is the brand’s first open-cockpit road car. This extreme, windscreen-less two-seater is also the lightest road car ever from McLaren Automotive, with a carbon fibre chassis, a pioneering McLaren Active Air Management System (AAMS) that shelters occupants by manipulating air flow, while retaining a strong connection to the elements.

With every sensory input heightened, the Elva provides unparalleled driving pleasure on road or track, its 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine delivering up to 815PS for truly sensational performance. Just 149 units were built to customer order, making the Elva one of the rarest McLarens ever produced.

With the exterior of the car ‘flowing’ seamlessly into the interior, unhindered by glass, and an almost-limitless degree of personalisation offered to customers, the Elva is the perfect canvas to reflect a customer’s individuality and passion – especially when a renowned painter is involved in creating the visual identity of the car.

Born and raised in Paris, Hom Nguyen’s work is inspired by the beauty of human portraits – a combination of abstract and figurative elements. Using a variety of mediums, his works capture the depth of feelings and complexity of human emotions. Famous for his signature bold brushstrokes and vibrant colours, Hom Nguyen’s artworks have been featured in exhibitions and publications in France and around the world.

This is the first time that Hom Nguyen has used carbon fibre as his main canvas, and working in collaboration with McLaren’s in-house bespoke division, McLaren Special Operations (MSO), he spent 72 hours with brush in hand to amplify the combination of performance, innovation, and craftsmanship that Elva offers.

Drawing inspiration from Icarus in Greek mythology, Nom Nguyen chose to feature his drawing, ‘Icarus’ – which draws inspiration from the character of the same name in Greek mythology – on the McLaren Elva. Empowered with full artistic and creative freedom from the owner, the artist selected this piece as a representation of humility and a tribute to Mr. Pham Tran Nhat Minh and his passion of cars.

An avid art patron and firm believer in the power of art, Mr. Pham Tran Nhat Minh’s decision to work with Hom Nguyen to create this one-of-a-kind car demonstrates his desire to encourage and promote the artistic spirit. This partnership expressed through the bespoke McLaren Elva reflects Mr. Pham’s core beliefs, life influences and special relationship with artist.

To showcase the masterpiece, McLaren Ho Chi Minh will unveil the McLaren Elva – alongside Mr. Pham Tran Nhat Minh and Hom Nguyen – on 13 October 2023. The car is not only incredibly impressive in its own right, it also symbolises the close relationship between the McLaren brand and its customers, and the company’s growth in Vietnam.