Official: McLaren X-1 Concept created as one-off for anonymous client

Official: McLaren X-1 Concept created as one-off for anonymous client:
Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, Specialty, Design/Style, Luxury


The first major surprise of Pebble Beach weekend in Monterey has officially landed.

The machine you see above is the McLaren X-1 Concept, and it was created by McLaren Special Operations for an anonymous client. Underneath that crazy slice of bodywork lies the British company's unique carbon monocell - the same basic structure that underpins the MP4-12C. MSO Programme Director Paul MacKenzie describes how it came to be:

"One of our clients who already owned a McLaren F1, a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and now a 12C, wanted a unique car. The conversation began with our Executive Chairman Ron Dennis almost three years ago − before the 12C was even launched. The client wanted a machine that had all the capability of the 12C but wrapped in a unique body that reflected his needs and personality."

We're not sure that we'd use words like 'timeless and classical elegance' to describe the X-1 (at least without seeing it in person), which is what the client had been yearning for, but the result is nothing if not striking and memorable. Design Director Frank Stephenson used cars such as the 1961 Facel Vega, 1953 Chrysler D'Elegance Ghia, 1959 Buick Electra, 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K and 1971 Citroën SM for inspiration.




The initial design, after a competition was held between McLaren's own designers and a selected few from outside the automotive world, came from McLaren's Korean-born RCA graduate Hong Yeo. It took two and a half years to complete once the design was finalized, and the company says everything from the lights to the wheels were created specifically for this project.

Most of the carbon fiber bodywork has been painted piano black, though some of the panels let the natural carbon weave shine through, and all the brightwork - including the so-called McLaren Airbrake rear wing - was hewn from solid aluminum and nickel plated. The interior is finished in Harissa Red Nappa leather.

We highly suggest you have a closer look at the McLaren X-1 in our high-res image gallery above, and you can bet we'll have live shots of this stunner in short order. If nothing else, one thing is perfectly clear: Ferrari has some real competition in McLaren when it comes to building bespoke supercars for wealthy clients. Scroll down below for the official press release.
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McLaren X-1 Concept created as one-off for anonymous client originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Aug 2012 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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