Gordon Murray S1 LM sells for $20.6m, becomes most expensive new car ever

The first build slot for the Gordon Murray S1 LM has sold for $20.63 million, setting a world record for the most expensive new car ever sold. The sale took place during the Las Vegas Formula One Grand Prix weekend and confirmed strong demand for rare engineering art. This shows that true craftsmanship still matters in the world of supercars.

The car arrived at the event in dramatic fashion, suspended beneath a helicopter before landing at the amfAR Gala Dinner. Bidders from several countries joined the intense auction, pushing the price to £15.77 million. The winning slot is the first of only five S1 LM units that will ever be built, giving its buyer access to one of the most exclusive automotive programs in the world.

The S1 LM honours the McLaren F1 LM, the 1995 Le Mans legend also designed by Professor Gordon Murray. Built from ultra-light carbon fiber, the car weighs just 957 kg and carries a 710 hp V12 engine developed with Cosworth. “We designed it to be pure, light, and focused,” Murray said, describing the model as a modern tribute shaped by his core principles of engineering art and simplicity.

The buyer will take part in the final development process, including private test drives with former racing champion Dario Franchitti and a rare chance to witness wind tunnel trials. They will also receive a 500-page monograph documenting the car’s creation. Analysts say the $20.6 million result shows rising global demand for heritage-driven cars, where design purity and scarcity matter more than technology alone.

Gordon Murray S1 LM in pictures