The X-1 took three years to create and was born out of a conversation between McLaren chief Ron Dennis and the anonymous enthusiast, whose car collection includes a McLaren F1, McLaren-Mercedes SLR and a 12C.
The entire vehicle took two years to build and is specifically for this esteemed client who already owns on McLaren F1 vehicle, a Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren and a MP412C. The secret client expressed his desire for an exclusive vehicle that had all the abilities of a 12C but with its own unique body.
[Gallery not found]
McLaren MP4-12C Based X-1
MSO chief Paul Mackenzie and design chief Frank Stephenson then met with the client, and a brief of creating a car with ‘timeless and classical elegance’ was set. Cars that inspired the final look of the X-1 include theCitroen SM, Mercedes 540k and the Facel Vega; other inspirations came from architecture from Guggenheim museum, a grand piano and even an eggplant.
The design of the X-1 is credited to McLaren’s RCA graduate Hong Yeo, who won an internal and external design competition overseen by Stephenson. The styling took 18 months to sign off, and the bespoke body necessitated homogenization high-speed and track testing, and a full CFD aerodynamic testing schedule to ensure it was durable on the road.
The X-12 is based around the versatile carbonfibre Monocell chassis of the 12C and uses the same twin-turbo V8 as the standard car. The bodywork is made entirely from carbonfibre, and certain components were tooled exclusively for the X1. Even the wheels and headlights are bespoke, and the only external carryover from the 12C is the glasshouse.
One of the most dramatic features of the X-1 is its pop-up rear wings that sit over the rear wheels. Stephenson says the wings feature “some of the most gorgeous hinges you’ve ever seen”.
The brightwork, McLaren logo and rear airbrake are among the features to be machined from solid aluminium and then nickel-plated.
The substantial changes to the X-1 make it 4.3ft longer at just over 15ft and nearly 7.5 inches wider at 6.9ft than its 12C donor car. The height remains the same at just under 4ft, and the curb weight of around 3,800lbs is almost identical to the 12C due to an increased use of carbon-fiber.
The interior’s basic architecture remains, but is fully customized, featuring red leather and extensive use of cabronfibre trim.
Mackenzie describes the MSO as “the ultimate personalization service”. His team carries out projects from as small as bespoke stitching for an interior, to bespoke supercars such as the X-1. He is keen to carry out more mechanical work as with the X-1, insisting MSO is “not just about styling”.
A native of Tampa, FL Robert is the presiding editor and co-owner of both Down Shift Magazine and DS Holdings, LLC. A proud alumnus of the University of South Florida’s class of 2005 Robert is active in the Tampa Bay community and when not residing at his home in Tampa, FL enjoys traveling throughout the United States and abroad covering the motorsports and cultural phenomenon that shape our modern automotive enthusiast community.
Follow Down Shift Magazine 's Social Media Feeds:
-
-
