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Surpassing Brilliance: The McLaren X1

McLaren, one of the pioneers in automotive design and engineering is coming up with a new and brilliant supercar, the X1.  It is based on the Carbon MonoCell technology and this supercar is being developed for an anonymous car enthusiast who has been closely working with McLaren on this project.

MSO Programme Director, Paul MacKenzie said “One of our clients who already owned a McLaren F1, a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and now a 12C, wanted a unique car. The conversation began with our Executive Chairman Ron Dennis almost three years ago − before the 12C was even launched. The client wanted a machine that had all the capability of the 12C but wrapped in a unique body that reflected his needs and personality.’

The McLaren X1

The Birth Of X1

After receiving the unique and challenging brief from the client, McLaren began work on the conception of X1. The groundwork started during a meeting with the client, which went on for almost three hours and covered all the basic aspects of the car and its design. Frank Stephenson summarised the meeting by saying, ‘The key qualities the client desired were “timeless and classical elegance, which was some challenge.’ Both Paul MacKenzie and McLaren’s Director of Design went through a series of meetings with the client where they discussed the influences of films, fashion, design and architecture of the world of automotive engineering and subsequently on the X1. Inspiration was drawn from old legends like the 1961 Facel Vega, the classic 1953 Chrysler D’Elegance Ghia and the evergreen 1959 Buick Electra. Even Audrey Hepburn played a vital role in the design of the car, which is probably due to her unmatched charm and elegance. This process of drawing inspiration and putting it to paper was eighteen month long and the result was simply unbelievable!

The Birth Of The Supercar

Every material utilized in the making of X1 was as unique as the car itself. Its lights, wheels and engine have been developed to perfection. The X1 is not just a concept car, it is car that is designed to run at super speed and deliver excellent performance. It has been thoroughly tested and put through tests like a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) aerodynamic test.

Its body is made with carbon and the sides have been coated with carbon fibre, which gives it a dark and metallic look. Everything from the headlights to the wheels have a unique design, which has been crafted according to the desired of the client. When Stephenson talks of the styling, he says “The attention to detail is astonishing. Neat styling touches feature throughout the design, such as the rear number plate illuminators finished in carbon, a gorgeous machined aluminum cap is used for the header tank, and carbon finishers line the engine bay”.

The X1 is a car that has been carefully developed and designed by the best of minds at McLaren. From the conception of the idea to the final product, each and every detail has been perfect.