McLaren Special Ops 650S

McLaren Special Operations is fantastic – easily and safely turning any 12C into more graceful beauties via new bumpers, sills, spats and diffusers outside. Inside, your taste and modesty are the only restrictions on colors and customizations.

All the MSO upgrades adhere to the same McLaren fanatical obsession with racing performance enhancement at every step – meaning they are far more than just cosmetic.

They are also OEM-quality, which is less-than-a-sure-thing for other body kits. Such bodywork flying off the car at McLaren-level speeds would be a concern for me when personalizing my supercar.

Bruce McLaren, after all, sadly perished when some of the rear bodywork on his test car can loose at high speed. The huge rear wing was previously mounted directly to the suspension, but when regulations forced the wing to be removed – the bodywork was under tremendous air pressure and sadly broke apart with visionary founder Bruce at the helm.

Racing improvement and applied lessons from errors were core competencies of McLaren then, as they are for his company now.

Back to MSO — which makes it easy to update and upgrade the 12C with the most current style.

Above: Factory MY13 12C Spider

Below: MSO 12C Spider

The visual *POW* that MSO brings to the cars makes the nip/tuck MSO detail tweaks feel worth the time/money, even if the modest aero enhancements are likely to be far less noticeable at US highway speeds…

The MSO team has big plans for the 650S as well – and is displaying some of these on a concept in China today. While tagged a concept, these upgrades are almost certainly the real thing — simply without pricing attached yet.

Once available for the 650S (like they are today for the 12C), the MSO upgrades can be ordered and fitted to any existing McLaren via their 20-strong North American dealer network.

A similar OEM fitment or after-sales retrofit approach is likely for the MSO 650S Coupe and Spider when they arrive to the first customers later this year.

Above: OEM 650S

Below: MSO 650S

Official Details from McLaren Automotive.

• Unique design concept shown ahead of China tour

• Bespoke upgrades developed by MSO offer optimised aerodynamic performance and more dramatic appearance

• Range of new styling options available for the McLaren 650S Coupe and 650S Spider many of which can also be fitted to the previous 12C models

McLaren Special Operations, the bespoke division of McLaren Automotive, has released images of the MSO 650S Coupe Concept – a showcase of the MSO designed and engineered upgrades available for the McLaren 650S Coupe and 650S Spider, the latest models to join to the McLaren Automotive range. The model is being shown throughout China over the coming weeks and includes an array of bespoke MSO features, including a newly designed carbon fibre rear diffuser and MSO-branded carbon fibre side blades.

The striking MSO 650S Coupe Concept has a stealth-like, menacing appearence, with subtle upgrades made to the exterior bodywork and within the driver-focused cabin. The MSO 650S Coupe Concept is finished in ‘Agrigan Black’, which is a metallic black paint specially developed in-house with a deep ruby red metallic flake. This paint effect gives the exterior bodywork a dramatic colour change in direct sunlight, contrasting with the extensive use of satin-finished carbon fibre highlights. The lightweight carbon fibre accents, including the prominent front splitter and air intakes, are complemented by bespoke MSO carbon fibre side blades and the unique MSO ear diffuser.

The MSO branded side blades are a more aggressive, full length, interpretation of the door blades seen on the 650S Coupe and Spider models. Finished in satin, they offer increased improvements to the airflow along the edges of the bodywork, further optimising aerodynamic efficiency. At the rear, the GT3-inspired rear bumper features a carbon fibre centre section, and the lightweight material carries through to the carbon fibre airbrake and unique MSO rear diffuser. The engine bay has been further enhanced with satin black engine covers and a satin finish to all carbon fibre parts. The purposeful exterior look of the MSO 650S Coupe Concept is finished with the addition of a set of special satin black finished lightweight ‘650S’ alloy wheels, shod with Pirelli P Zero™ Corsa tyres.

Inside the cockpit, the one-off design showcase is fitted with the fixed-back carbon fibre racing seats, based on the lightweight design found in the McLaren P1™, finished in carbon black leather. The seats position the occupants lower in the car and provide superb levels of upper and lower body support, while offering a weight saving of 15kg. Satin carbon fibre features extensively throughout the cabin, which is further enhanced by the switchgear and bezels that are finished in contrasting gloss black.

The MSO 650S Coupe Concept is presented as a one-off design study, and MSO is monitoring reaction regarding any potential production examples. The MSO side blades and rear diffuser are available to order now from McLaren retailers, priced at £5,114 and £7,245 respectively for a new 650S. These styling upgrades can also be fitted to the 12C.