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McLaren Special Operations Showcases Its Five-Tier Range of Uniqueness

McLaren Special Operations 7 photos
Photo: McLaren
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For the unknowing, the so-called Special Operations skunkworks is a division of McLaren Automotive which specializes in making bespoke automobiles. You want a P1 painted Satin Volcano Red and adorned with 24-carat gold? MSO can do it for you...
...but only if you pay the right price. Tailoring a supercar or hypercar isn’t all that new. Ferrari is doing it for years, Porsche as well. McLaren ventured into this later than more established manufacturers, but even still, there’s a lot the Woking-based company can boast about with.

“Every McLaren is unique but now, with more choice than ever before, we are enabling our customers to truly express themselves through their vehicles.” said MSO division’s executive director Paul Mackenzie.

First of all, you need to know there are five tiers of personalization available at the moment: MSO Defined, MSO Bespoke, MSO Limited, MSO Heritage and the range-topping MSO Programmes.

What does that jibber-jabber stand for?

Starting with the entry-level MSO Defined, this tier brings McLaren 650S customers enhanced aerodynamics, carbon fiber touches inside the car, a carbon fiber rear diffuser and extended side door blades. Carbon fiber rear deck and mirror arms are available as well, along with paddle shifters made from the same material and a Formula 1-inspired instrument cluster.

The MSO Bespoke offers a virtually limitless choice of paints, leather upholstery, stitching and body changes. McLaren says that since the 650S was launched earlier this year, 20 percent of vehicles produced have included some MSO Bespoke content. As for the MSO Limited, this tier specializes in manufacturing limited-run and special edition McLaren cars.

MSO Heritage is actually a renamed division from the 1990s. More specifically, it includes those highly skilled employees that service, maintain and personalize the iconic McLaren F1. Now managed by MSO Heritage, this service is also available for the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and SLR Stirling Moss.

Finally, the MSO Programmes tier, which is the youngest of all McLaren Special Operations divisions. These lads will take care of the P1 GTR Driver Programme. McLaren informs that every track-focused P1 GTR will be made and maintained by MSO before heading to the most special F1 circuits around.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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