Automotive

McLaren to show "Special Operations" cars at Pebble Beach

McLaren to show "Special Operations" cars at Pebble Beach
50 examples of the MSO 650S Spider will be built
50 examples of the MSO 650S Spider will be built
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The special edition P1 is painted in a special shade of metallic gray, with orange highlights spread around the body
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The special edition P1 is painted in a special shade of metallic gray, with orange highlights spread around the body
This special edition P1 was commissioned by a North American owner
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This special edition P1 was commissioned by a North American owner
Orange highlights are scattered around the car
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Orange highlights are scattered around the car
The P1's interior is finished in Alacantara, with gray stitching
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The P1's interior is finished in Alacantara, with gray stitching
Orange brake calipers stand out from behind the P1's wheels
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Orange brake calipers stand out from behind the P1's wheels
McLaren says the upgrades are "subtle and considered"
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McLaren says the upgrades are "subtle and considered"
50 examples of the MSO 650S Spider will be built
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50 examples of the MSO 650S Spider will be built
Inside, McLaren's "speedmark" logo is stitched into the seatbacks
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Inside, McLaren's "speedmark" logo is stitched into the seatbacks
Satin-finish carbon fiber is used on the rear diffuser, side skirts and front bumper
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Satin-finish carbon fiber is used on the rear diffuser, side skirts and front bumper
Each MSO 650S Spider comes with a bespoke leather duffel bag
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Each MSO 650S Spider comes with a bespoke leather duffel bag
The shade of blue that McLaren chose is designed to stand out under the Californian sun
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The shade of blue that McLaren chose is designed to stand out under the Californian sun
The 650S Spider is based on MSO's 650S coupe special edition
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The 650S Spider is based on MSO's 650S coupe special edition
View gallery - 12 images

McLaren is bringing its A-game to Pebble Beach this year. As well as its hardcore P1 GTR, the British manufacturer is planning to show two one off "McLaren Special Operations" (MSO) cars to the 2014 Concours crowd – a 650S Spider and a P1.

Limited edition MSO 650S Spider

If you're interested in a 650S Spider, but afraid the standard car is just too common, the first McLaren special might be the car for you. Based on the MSO edition of the 650S Coupe that debuted at Goodwood, all MSO 650S Spiders are finished in a glossy metal-flake shade of blue, designed to stand out under the Californian Concours sun.

Satin-finish carbon fiber is used on the rear diffuser, side skirts and front bumper
Satin-finish carbon fiber is used on the rear diffuser, side skirts and front bumper

To complement the "Cerulean Blue" bodywork, the 650S has its front bumper, side skirts and rear diffuser finished in satin-finished carbon-fiber, with chromed 10-spoke lightweight wheels topping off the MSO look.

Inside, the carbon-fiber trim has been given the same satin treatment as the exterior, and just in case you'd forgotten what you were driving, McLaren's "speedmark" logo is highlighted in the seatbacks with blue contrast stitching.

The convertible to be shown at Pebble Beach is 1 of just 50 MSO-designed 650S special-editions, and includes a leather McLaren duffel bag in its cost of admission.

One-of-a-kind McLaren P1

For some owners, being one of 50 isn't enough. They want their car to be completely unique. The second car McLaren is showing at Pebble Beach was commissioned as a one-off by a North American buyer who wanted a P1 experience all his own. Although performance remains the same, the special edition P1 features a number of subtle design changes to set it apart from the pack.

On the styling front, the special edition P1 is painted in a special shade of metallic gray, with orange highlights spread around the body. Though they may not stand out to the casual observer, the devil is in the details. Even the brake calipers, which clamp on the same carbon ceramic discs as the standard car, are finished in this bright shade of orange.

Orange brake calipers stand out from behind the P1's wheels
Orange brake calipers stand out from behind the P1's wheels

Color aside, the defining feature of this P1 comes in the form of a throwback to the legendary McLaren F1. In the engine bay, the P1's heat shielding is finished in 24 carat gold.

Gold was chosen on the F1 because of its excellent reflective properties, and though the standard P1 makes use of different materials, there's no doubting the "cool" factor that comes with the gold finish on the special edition car. In keeping with the contrast theme, the gold heat shielding is also visible around the exhaust and stands out against the gray paint.

Throughout the interior, the owner has kept things low key, opting for grey stitching on black Alcantara. The only flashes of color coming from orange highlights on the center console.

How much is it worth? Unless the special edition P1's owner spills the beans, we may never know.

Both cars will be shown at Pebble Beach, which kicks off on August 17.

Source: McLaren

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