X1 (United Kingdom, 2012)

Apparently, loyal and especially wealthy McLarenMcLarenUnited Kingdom, 1963 > present92 models
1883 photos
12 videos
customers can get very special treatment. A McLaren customer who owns an F1McLaren F1United Kingdom, 1992 > 19986 versions
21 photos
, McLaren SLRMercedes-Benz SLR-Class Gen.1 [C 199]Germany, 2003 > 20094 versions
52 photos
1 video
and MP4-12CMcLaren MP4-12CUnited Kingdom, 2009 > present15 versions
46 photos
6 videos
wanted a car that was truly unique, and it took three years for McLaren to build it for him. The result is the X1 the first completely bespoke car from McLaren Special Operations (MSO) who will begin offering bespoke services to other buyers. The X1 uses the mechanicals of the MP4-12C, but the entire body, wheels, trims and even the lights are completely unique to this car. The only shared piece on the body is the windshield. The car is being shown publically for the first time on August 17 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. 

The process to design the X1 began before the MP4-12C was even finished. The buyer wanted a version of McLaren's new supercar but with a unique body. From there, MSO director Paul Mackenzie and Design Director Frank Stephenson met with the client and created a mood book for the car. It included pictures of cars, buildings, objects and even people that would inspire the car. Some of the things included in the book were a picture of Audrey Hepburn, the Guggenheim museums, Citroën SMCitroën SMFrance, 1970 > 19752 versions
6 photos
, Facel VegaFacel Vega HK500France, 1963 > present2 photos
and 1959 Buick ElectraBuick Electra Gen.1United States of America, 1959 > 1960.

"The key qualities the client desired were “timeless and classical elegance”.  Which was some challenge," said Stephenson. 

The buyer did not simply want a car penned by Stephenson, though. He requested that there be an open competition based on the inspiration by the mood book to design the car, and he would choose the final design.  The winning design came from McLaren-employee Hong Yeo.

"X-1 embodies the McLaren value that every part has to have a purpose.  No details are simply visual cues, every one has a purpose.  Although I like to think the wide body combined with pontoon style rear fenders will ensure the car glides when it’s moving just like a superhero’s cape," said Yeo.

One of the car's oddest elements in today's terms is the rear-wheel covers that just are not normal on cars today. The panels, like the rest of the body, are made from carbon fiber and mounted on a hinge. 

Even after being selected, Yeo did several revisions of his design until it was perfect. The buyer would not accept a computer rendering of the finished design and requested that a full-scale physical model be made. He agreed to the design and construction began. 

While underneath the car is an MP4-12C, the cars do not share a single body part. The X1 is 109mm longer and 188mm wider than an MP4-12C. The entire body is made from carbon fiber. The buyer requested that the car be painted in a piano black. There is no tint or metallic-ness to the paint, and according to MSO is was quite difficult to apply. Other bespoke pieces include the wheels and headlights. 

The few pieces of exterior trim were machined from solid aluminum and then covered in a nickel finish. The same was done for the interior trim, McLaren badge and rear air brake. The wheels were also covered in the nickel finish to match the rest of the trim. 

"The attention to detail is astonishing. Neat styling touches feature throughout the design, such as the rear number plate illuminators finished in carbon, a gorgeous machined aluminum cap is used for the header tank, and carbon finishers line the engine bay," said Stephenson.

Because the buyer intends to drive the car, it is completely road legal. McLaren completed Computational Fluid Dynamics aerodynamic testing on the car and did 625 mile of on-road testing in it. 

McLaren says its MonoCell carbon fiber monocoque is strong enough to easily accept modification. MSO is already looking for new clients to build more unique cars. It is even willing to do mechanical work if a buyer has deep enough pockets. MSO is becoming an increasingly popular office at McLaren as 15% of buyers request their services to modify paint or trim. McLaren expects that figure to increase to 20% next year. MSO was originally founded by McLaren to help F1 owners take care of their cars. 

"This is the first fully client commissioned MSO car, but it certainly won’t be the last. The carbon fibre MonoCell chassis used in the 12C, is not only stiff and light, it allows for great flexibility in body styling and provides an affordable structure from which MSO can develop unique cars, as is demonstrated with X-1," said Mackenzie.