The 2016 Geneva Motor Show is just around the corner, with arguably more to look forward to this year than ever before. Not least because one of the world’s most iconic names in motor racing and automotive design, McLaren, is bringing its largest ever cohort of breath-taking supercars along to the party.
The British powerhouse’s fourth appearance in Geneva will see two special edition variants of McLaren’s flagship models make their international bows, the P1 MSO and a bespoke version of the all new 675LT Spider.
Developed by McLaren Special Operations division, the P1 MSO pays a carbon fibre tribute to the outgoing McLaren P1 903bhp hyper car which ceased production earlier this year. This exclusive joins the ranks of the strictly limited 375 road legal P1s produced and features a completely unique hand-laid carbon fibre body. First offered to the highly select group of McLaren P1 customers earlier this year, key MSO upgrades include a gloss black finish to the wheels, an extensive interior re-trim with carbon black Alcantara and even a 24-carat gold exhaust heatshield inspired by the McLaren F1’s famous gold foil-lined exhaust compartment.
Joining the P1 MSO on the McLaren roster at Geneva will be a bespoke version of the 675LT Spider, the latest addition to the brand’s mid-range Super Series. This 666bhp V8 drop-top makes its first public appearance at this year’s show after selling out its 500 model quota in a matter of weeks. MSO’s one-off creation gets the carbon fibre treatment, featuring greater levels of the super lightweight material in its construction than its ‘off the peg’ 675LT equivalent. One such component given a carbon fibre makeover is the retractable hardtop, which can now be lowered or raised at speeds of up to 25mph and is marginally lighter than the standard model’s drop-top. The 675LT MSO’s front wings are also fitted with carbon fibre louvres while its ‘Longtail’ Airbrake is finished in body colour with carbon fibre patterning. The same is true of the special edition’s front bumper end plates, side skirts, side intakes and rear bumper
Performance for the 675LT Spider by MSO remains unchanged, with the 3.8-litre twin turbo Spider sprinting from 0-62mph in a seriously swift 2.9 seconds and breaking the double ton barrier with a top speed pegged at 204mph.
McLaren’s two debutants will join the rest of the British marque’s three tier line-up at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, which open its door to the press pack on the 1st March.