Tuesday 29th April 2014

McLaren 650S Coupe Concept announced

McLaren Special Operations does its own take on the new 650S

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'A stealth-like, menacing appearance'. Of all that's been written so far about the McLaren 650S, stealth probably hasn't been mentioned too often. It is deliberately and proudly more outlandish than the 12C, a riposte to those who saw McLaren's return to supercars as a little too subtle.

Definitely Woking, not Agrigan

But now McLaren Special Operations has got hold of a 650S. MSO should be familiar now, creators of everything from the X1 concept to its own Mercedes SLR McLaren and one very expensive 12C along the way. It has now built the Coupe Concept, a car that will be shown throughout China over the coming weeks in a McLaren tour.

Apparently it's just a one-off design study for now, but we wouldn't be surprised to see the MSO accoutrements make the 650S extras list soon. The paint is 'Agrigan Black', a black with a deep ruby red flake and a colour that certainly gives the 650S a hint of menace. To save you Googling, Agrigan is a volcanic island in the Pacific; despite what the images may suggest, Woking most definitely isn’t.

This being MSO, lots of carbon has been thrown at the Coupe Concept too. So there are branded side blades, a new front splitter and rear diffuser (now inspired by the GT3 racer) all in satin carbon. And the intakes. And the airbrake.

Mmm, stealthy

Inside there are seats made of you-know-what based on the P1's design that actually sit the occupants lower in the car. They're 15kg lighter than the standard chairs too.

As mentioned, the Coupe Concept is nothing more than that just yet. However, the MSO side blades (£5,114) and rear diffuser (£7,245) are available for the 650S and 12C now. Keep a look out for Agrigan Black on the colour chart soon.

[MrTappets]

That's marvellous. The 650s looks so much better in darker colours. POTW?

[TNH]

That looks awesome.

[WCZ]

MrTappets said:

That's marvellous. The 650s looks so much better in darker colours. POTW?

on this computer monitor it's so dark that I can barely see the car

[MrTappets]

WCZ said:

MrTappets said:

That's marvellous. The 650s looks so much better in darker colours. POTW?

on this computer monitor it's so dark that I can barely see the car

That's the stealth for you

[Evo]

Yes, could you re stick the front from the 12C on please

[4a4]

That lava isn't symmetrical.

Ron is going to st kittens.

[storminnorman]

That picture is rather silly. They could have achieved the same effect on some industrial location but instead they photoshopped some lava onto the front drive of the MTC?
That is all.

[Monty Python]

Evo said:

Yes, could you re stick the front from the 12C on please

I guess if you asked they could stick any front you want on it.

[BelfastBoy]

Nice, none more black etc!

However, is it naive of me to suggest that if carbonfibre bits were so essential to this or many similar cars, they'd be fitted as standard rather than being offered as options? It's almost as if McLaren and their rivals know that owners (many of them paradoxically super wealthy and yet deeply insecure), desperate to make their cars stand out from others, will bolt on anything perceived as being 'special operations', 'bespoke creations' etc...! (Most extreme example of this is maybe the Pagani Zonda - try finding one in what would be considered 'factory standard' spec! If you can, Pagani themselves would probably buy it off you.)

[moffat]

Have McLaren copied Audi with their own version of the 'Black Edition'....?

[FWDRacer]

Anyone else bored to tears with the ongoing infernal continuation of "Black", "Stealth"... "Ninja" finish? Like we are stuck in 2005. Originality please. It looks.... errr.......... sh*t, now.

Or is it just me?

[Revs_Addiction]

Not wishing to stick the boot in, as I'd have one of these in a heartbeat, BUT...

Do a few carbon bits, (some of which are already availble to buy), and a pair of seats really qualify as being 'Special'.

"McLaren Special Operations" sounds, and should be, a lot more than this. On this showing they're no more than an in-house Mansory...

[BelfastBoy]

Revs_Addiction said:

"McLaren Special Operations" sounds, and should be, a lot more than this. On this showing they're no more than an in-house Mansory...

100% correct - McLaren, Ferrari, Rolls Royce in particular have probably been struck by the horrendously tasteless creations emerging from the 'upmarket' aftermarket modifiers, and just want a piece of the action themselves. If it's possible and doesn't compromise on safety or the normal workings of the vehicle, they'll do it, turn a blind eye to the likely gaudiness, and hoover up the cash.

[zeta3]

Boring...

[007 VXR]

[Impasse]

Five grand for some side blades and seven grand for a rear diffuser. How can they possibly make a profit on such minuscule prices? They've got be be being sold at a loss, surely?

[E36GUY]

So this is the 650s Halfords edition?