Rhapsody in Atlantic Blue: bespoke McLaren 720S by McLaren Special Operations unveiled at Geneva International Motor Show
- Unique McLaren Special Operations (MSO) commission specially for the 88th Geneva International Motor Show
- McLaren extreme performance with an accent on luxury
- Celebrating one year of MSO-crafted second-generation Super Series models
An award-filled year on from its world premiere at the 87th Geneva International Motor Show, the McLaren 720S is again taking the Geneva spotlight with a breathtaking-in-blue bespoke creation from McLaren Special Operations (MSO).
Combining the deepest of deep blue paint finishes specially formulated for the car with a classic Saddle Tan leather interior, the McLaren 720S in Atlantic Blue by MSO presents the dynamism of the McLaren Super Series wrapped up in a timeless, luxury-accented allure.
McLaren Special Operations’ latest creation comes a year after MSO’s first bespoke project on the second-generation Super Series, the 720S Velocity by MSO, which was shown in Geneva in 2017. With a fusion of Volcano Red and Nerello Red paint colours, its explosive looks more than matched its performance. In the 12 months since – during which time the 720S has garnered five-star road test verdicts as well as awards including the world’s most beautiful supercar – few of the nearly 1,500 McLaren 720S delivered since launch have not borne at least some MSO influence. The earliest build allocation for a ‘standard’ car is currently July of this year.
The Atlantic Blue body provides a fresh interpretation of the ‘shrink-wrapped’ design language introduced for the 720S, which features innovative aerodynamics, smoothly sculpted surfaces and iconic double-hinged dihedral doors. Commissioned for the 88th Geneva Motor Show, this latest MSO project showcases both the boundless extent of MSO’s bespoke craftsmanship and the MSO Defined range of personalisation choices – options that have allowed 720S buyers such creative expression in realising their own perfect Super Series model.
“Every 720S produced by MSO is elegant and distinctive and a large part of that is because they are different in some way from all the others, with each car a unique expression of the owner’s taste,” commented Ansar Ali, Managing Director of McLaren Special Operations, “At MSO, we celebrate that difference by showing cars like the Atlantic Blue 720S – a world of McLaren possibilities made stunningly real.”
MSO’s hand-crafted artistry is able to fulfil McLaren clients’ most demanding expectations. Its capabilities range from crafting entire one-off cars to providing specific aerodynamic and lightweight componentry, adding functionality and developing the special materials, finishes, colour and trim that are used to such stunning effect by the Atlantic Blue 720S making its debut in Geneva.
The second-generation Super Series marries McLaren’s most extreme take yet on supercar performance, with a plethora of luxury and convenience features in the glass teardrop cockpit that further reinforce the acclamation of the 720S as a supercar with the broadest range of abilities.
Providing the most focused driving experience thanks to innovations in aerodynamics, proactive suspension control, carbon-fibre construction and one of the world’s most potent 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engines, the 720PS (710bhp) 720S can deliver a top speed of 212mph and despatch 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds. None of this is at the expense of comfort: heated electric seats, keyless entry, soft-close doors, cruise control, electrically adjustable steering column and advanced climate and connectivity systems are among the standard features.
MSO bespoke elements that take this formula to another level comprise the newly-developed Atlantic Blue paint and an interior swathed in Saddle Tan leather with contrasting Slate Grey stitching. The cockpit is further distinguished by Carbon Black leather and Grey Alcantara accents. Even the floor mats are bespoke.
Setting off the Atlantic Blue paint are Dark Palladium exterior finishes, gloss finish Visual Carbon Fibre, and Zircon window surrounds. The stainless-steel sports exhaust has Titanium finishers and the twin-spoke lightweight wheels feature a bespoke Graphite Grey finish. The brakes – as on all McLaren 720Ss – are carbon-ceramic and for this special model feature black calipers with McLaren branding.
MSO Defined features inside the cockpit characterise the demands of a typical McLaren 720S owner, with priorities for both track driving and everyday usability. The McLaren 720S in Atlantic Blue by MSO comes with both the McLaren Track Telemetry and camera system for circuit enjoyment and a 360-degree Park Assist system of sensors and cameras to ease city driving. The car is also equipped with a vehicle lift to avoid damage over ramps and speed humps, and to while away motorway miles there is a Bowers & Wilkins 12-speaker audio system.
This unique McLaren 720S in Atlantic Blue by MSO carries a price tag of £281,260.
McLAREN BESPOKE DESIGN THEME FOR 720S
- McLaren Special Operations (MSO) creates a unique 720S with a ‘Stealth’ design theme
- MSO Defined Sarthe Grey exterior paint – inspired by the 1995 Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 GTR – is contrasted with hand-painted Vermillion Red accents
- Bespoke Satin Finish Visual Carbon Fibre exterior components are another example of the level of personalisation possible with MSO Bespoke orders
- 10-Spoke Super Lightweight alloy wheels finished in MSO Bespoke Satin Black with Vermillion Red contrast spoke and outer rim
- Red accents continue inside the cockpit, including on upper fascia, seats and doors and with Apex Red stitching
- Produced as a bespoke order for McLaren retailer, McLaren London
Don’t be fooled by the name: The MSO 720S Stealth Theme from McLaren Special Operations will ensure that one McLaren 720S owner stands out from the crowd even more than usual, in a striking car produced as a bespoke order for McLaren retailer, McLaren London.
The McLaren 720S can be ordered as standard in one of three specification levels, with MSO Defined options among the additional features offered to customers who want their new car to be unlike others. Beyond this there are opportunities to further personalise a McLaren through MSO’s Bespoke services, where areas such as paint and interior stitching can be developed as themes to create a car that is often, quite literally, one-of-a-kind.
‘Stealth’ was one of the MSO Bespoke themes visualised for the McLaren 720S on its global debut at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show; examples of the Velocity, Track and Pacific themes have already been produced as MSO Bespoke orders.
The MSO 720S Stealth Theme was commissioned by McLaren London to be visually even more purposeful than a standard 720S in Performance specification. The scope of the Stealth theme encompasses MSO Defined Sarthe Grey exterior paint – a colour inspired by the McLaren F1 GTR that was victorious at the famous Le Mans Circuit de la Sarthe in 1995 – and Vermillion Red contrast paint to accentuate the lines of the 720S body. The red detailing – on the front of the car and the bonnet and extending back along the bodysides to the rear deck – was hand-painted by master craftsmen and craftswomen at McLaren Special Operations in a near-200-hour process.
The theme of red accents is continued on the 10-Spoke Super Lightweight alloy wheels, which are finished in MSO Bespoke Satin Black with the outer rim and a single spoke in contrasting Vermillion Red. MSO Bespoke Satin Finish Visual Carbon Fibre components enhance the exterior of the car, with the Front Air Intakes, Door Mirror Casings, Door Mirror Arms, Rear Aero Bridges, Rear Deck and Service Cover and Rear Fender Air Intakes all in the lightweight material.
McLaren 720S Performance specification provides a sports-oriented interior with carbon fibre switch and centre panel surrounds and Alcantara® trim material. In the case of this car, MSO Bespoke additions further develop the purposeful theme, with red leather and Apex Red stitching on the fascia, door inners and seats.
