McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has produced a limited edition version of the 570GT to celebrate 20 years since the first F1 XP GT 'Longtail' was built.
Originally conceived as a road car, the McLaren F1 enjoyed significant motorsport success including victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995 on its first attempt.
After further track competition and a need to keep pace with its opposition, a ‘Longtail’ GT race car was developed - the F1 XP GT.
Instantly recognisable by the extended rear bodywork and distinctive colour, the original road-going prototype was built to satisfy the homologation requirements of the FIA.
20 years latter and McLaren has produced six MSO 570GT's, each finished in McLaren historic ‘XP Green’ exterior paint – the same colour as the F1 XP GT ‘Longtail’ from the '90s.
The front splitter, door inserts, side air intakes, side skirts and rear bumper, diffuser and spoiler, have all been replaced with MSO Black exterior components, all of which would usually be finished in Dark Palladium or body colour.
The exterior of the car has Saddle Tan aero pin-striping edging the front aero blades, side skirts and rear diffuser, while each door carries a stripe of the same colour that runs rearwards from a subtle Union Jack emblem finished in silver-grey.
The Saddle Tan leather interior features green leather inserts in the seats and green contrast stitching, as well as a dedication plaque mounted on the centre tunnel beneath the infotainment screen identifying each car as one of six in the Collection. Wheels are 5-Spoke Lightweight Forged Wheels in Stealth finish.
The limited edition 570GT's will also feature McLaren's Designer Interior GT Upgrade Pack, including vehicle lift, rear view camera, volumetric alarm upgrade, Bowers & Wilkins audio system and car cover.
The MSO content in each is identical and adds £21,000 (approximately NZ$39,000) to the final price of the vehicle, which will depend on other options chosen.
“Any McLaren is a very special vehicle, but we are also seeing an increasing number of buyers expressing a desire to personalise their cars with additional features and options as well as colour and trim choices outside of the core specification offered,” explained Jolyon Nash, McLaren Automotive Executive Director, Global Sales and Marketing.
“As well as making it possible for individual McLaren owners to have exactly the McLaren they want, McLaren Special Operations will continue to create limited-volume collections such as these six 570GT models in XP Green, to further extend customer choice.”
Unfortunately for McLaren and Longtail fans in the Southern Hemisphere, it's unlikely we will see one of these tributes driving around town as all six MSO 570GT's will be limited to customers in the UK, Germany and Netherlands.
However the car’s deep bottle green paint finish, named 'XP Green' in McLaren Special Operation’s historic paint collection, can now be selected for bespoke commissions.
