McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has given us a first look at its latest creation, the MSO X.
MSO created the X from one of McLaren’s entry-level Sports Series cars, the 570S. Its goal was to build a car as close as possible to the GT4 race car, but retain the 570S’s civility on the road.
To start with, engineers swap out the heavy aluminum body panels for carbon fiber. MSO fits a bespoke hood based on the GT4 racer and a pylon-mounted rear wing, to help keep the car planted. According to McLaren, the MSO X generates an additional 220lb of downforce over the standard 570S.
Further weight reduction comes from the Titanium Super Sports Exhaust. This combines with a gooseneck snorkel on the roof to enhance both the exhaust and intake sound. The snorkel also acts in conjunction with the other aerodynamic features on the car, and provides a nice visual throwback to the F1 GTR Longtail.
Finally, to round out the exterior upgrades, the MSO X gets a set of super sticky Pirelli P ZERO CORSA tires.
The “race car for the road” theme continues on the inside. The regular 570S’s pleasant leather and carpet gives way to a stripped-down cabin. It’s a sea of carbon fiber, exposing the Monocell II chassis in places.
There’s a color matched harness bar with 6-point racing harnesses attached behind the seats. For drivers who just want to cruise around town, the car also includes the standard 3-point belt.
MSO has also reworked the center tunnel. It removed the storage bin, again to save weight, while also fitting the raised gear and drive mode selector console from the GT4.
Unfortunately, the infotainment system remains. When we drove the standard 570S back in October, this was the car’s weakest spot. However, the MSO X does include McLaren Track Telemetry, so maybe that’s a consolation. Other tech also remains, like rear parking sensors, rear view cameras, vehicle lift and air conditioning. It does, after all, have to keep McLaren’s reputation for livable street cars.
MSO finishes the X off in a selection of different retro liveries, paying homage to the brand’s endurance racers. The two examples shown here are car number 8 in Anniversary White for the 1997 F1 GTR Longtail, and car number 10 in Ueno Grey for the Le Mans-winning F1 from 1995. Whether you like the liveries or not, at least they’re on a proper car – unlike the attempt by Porsche.
McLaren gave no price for the cars, but it doesn’t matter. If you want one of these beauties, you’re out of luck. Only 10 rolled out of the MSO garage bound for its Newport Beach Dealer near Los Angeles, California, with all 10 sold before they even hit the transporter.
However, McLaren does offer nearly every accessory available on the MSO X through its MSO program.
Of course if a real 570S GT4 is more your thing, that’s available too. McLaren offers owners a “Pure McLaren” race experience, at circuits including Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps and Bahrain.
Participants get a three-day experience, which includes on-track tuition and a novice racing licence. Those who purchase the full race package then get to race a works-prepped GT4 against other guests for two, 30-minute races.
They aren’t lip-service events either; the British Automobile Racing Club (BARC) endorses them, and any driver who completes six races qualifies for an International D level racing licence.
They don’t come cheap of course. Each of the eight dates for 2018 starts at nearly $1,500. Still, that’s inexpensive for a route straight into international motorsport.
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