A Customized McLaren X-1: What Dreams Are Made Of

Image Courtesy: McLaren Automative

Inspired by the 1953 Chrysler D’Elegance Ghia, the 1971 Citroen SM, a shadow of a Jaeger-LeCoultre clock, and wait for it… a picture of Audrey Hepburn (believe it you must), McLaren Special Operations has fashioned a one-of-a-kind creation, for an owner that wanted more. Yes, while for most of us, a McLaren supercar would more than suffice, JustLuxe reports that a private client had the British automaker and his esteemed design team—Korean designer Hong Yeo and McLaren design director Frank Stephenson—pull out all the stops on the ‘X-1’.

Image Courtesy: McLaren Automative

When the car made an appearance in California’s Quail event at Pebble Beach in Monterey, it was evident the makers had established an impressive feat. Classic in design with diamond-turned wheels enclosed at the rear, the machine is based on carbon-fiber mono-cell architecture that underpins the 12C. With bright nickel-plated solid machine aluminum on the ins-and-outs of the car, carbon fiber provides the perfect touch to the bodywork. While the interiors are designed much like the 12C, the X-1 weaves its own twist with red Nappa leather, titanium-carbon trim and andesite tufted carpeting. Longer and wider than the 12C, the body weight of the car (1,400kg) remains largely unchanged, credited to the lighter carbon body panels the makers have employed. Couple this beauty with 625-horsepower and a twin-turbo V8 under the hood, and what you have is one helluva masterpiece.