If you’ve ever dreamed of creating your very own, perfect McLaren, here’s your chance. Luxury high-performance sports car and supercar brand, McLaren Automotive pulled out all the stops at this year’s Geneva International Motor Show with the McLaren 72OS Spider by MSO. McLaren Special Operations (MSO)—McLaren’s bespoke division—used the Geneva International Motor Show to display the ultra-exclusive artistic finesse and flair for which the McLaren driving experience is known. Highlighting the advanced aerodynamics of the new Super Series convertible, the 72OS accentuates elements of the car’s aero design in a spectacular fusion of colors.
MSO specialists dedicated more than 260 hours to complete the tri-tone paint elements alone (applied to individual body panels to emulate the flow of air over the 720S Spider’s aerodynamic body while the car is moving). Parts finished with the tri-tone paint include everything from the front splitter, hood air, and front air intake, to side panels, lower door, and lower side air intake panels, door mirrors, and rear bumper.
“Aerodynamic innovation,’’ Darryl Scriven, MSO Chief Designer of McLaren Automotive, says, ‘’is such an integral part of the McLaren 720S Spider that using this new paint design to highlight areas that work hard to manage how air flows over the car—literally how the car’’ breathes’’—was the natural approach to take. This is a car that truly merges artistry with the science of aerodynamics.”
Here, each and every aero-inspired accent features a blend of three MSO metallic paints: Cerulean Blue, Burton Blue—as seen on the McLaren 720S GT3—and Abyss Black. The beauty of the 72OS is that the tri-tone paint finishes advances McLaren 720S Velocity technology first shown by MSO in Geneva in 2017. What’s more, the two hues of red perfectly epitomize the sporting aggression of the Coupé, while their new take on the Spider places a more subtle emphasis on the Super Series convertible.
Highlights are set off against Meteorite Grey body paint—the newest addition to the MSO Bespoke range of exterior colors (and developed specifically for this design theme). The tri-tone blend is complemented by 10- Spoke Super Lightweight forged wheels with an MSO Bespoke Abyss Black gloss finish and MSO Bespoke Burton Blue brake calipers.
MSO-defined features chosen for the car include a Gloss Carbon Fibre Tonneau Cover, developed specifically for the 720S Spider, and combines carbon fiber treatments to the rear deck with carbon fiber extensions to the upper trim and sills for a nearly seamless flow from the cabin to the rear of the car. The treatment also includes a diffuser and B-pillars.
“We wanted the McLaren 720S Spider by MSO to have a refined and stylish feel to complement the car’s exceptional breadth of abilities and we feel we have achieved this,’’ Ansar Ali, Managing Director, McLaren Special Operations adds. ‘’It is the perfect demonstration of how the diversity of MSO’s skills base and our commitment to craftsmanship can subtly alter a car’s character. We are constantly developing new techniques to frame McLaren cars in ways to meet our customer’s inspirations, whatever they may be.”
Launched in 2010, MSO is now the largest part of the McLaren Group with three product families: Sports Series, Super Series, and Ultimate Series boasting more than 80 retailers in 30 markets globally. With the 72OS Spider, McLaren’s limitless customization presents a bespoke supercar that continuously pushes boundaries and defies convention.
