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McLaren's Special Operations (MSO) division has created another one-off concept version of an existing model, this time turning its attention to the, ahem, most practical Macca of all, the 570GT.
This 570GT by MSO Concept, to give it the official moniker, debuted at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance event and it features a few nice additions from the master craftsmen of MSO. Included in its make-up is an Electro-Chromic Roof, a tuneful titanium exhaust that's 30 per cent lighter than the GT's standard system, exhaust heat shields finished in golden titanium nitride (they turn blue/purple as the system heats and cools through its cycle), and Elite Pearl White paint with an MSO Piano Black package - it's on the wheels, side skirts, front and rear details, door inserts and scattered about the interior. Finally, the full-length sill panels are finished in gloss-lacquered carbon fibre.
Talking of the interior, Saddle Tan luxury hide and a 12-speaker Bowers & Wilkins hi-fi system are complemented by more of that glossy carbon fibre. Like any 570GT, this car is aimed at comfort and practicality first and foremost, with a distance-aiding softer suspension set-up and 370 litres of storage, split into a 150-litre 'front boot' and a further 220 litres of stowage on the leather-lined Touring Deck behind the seats; this is accessed via the side-opening glass hatch.
The MSO Concept version of the 570GT uses the same 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, delivering 570hp and 600Nm, all delivered to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automated manual transmission. Weighing in at 1,350kg, performance remains blisteringly quick: 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds, 0-200km/h in 9.8 seconds and a top speed of 328km/h. The GT also manages 10.7 litres/100km (26.6mpg) economy and 249g/km CO2 emissions.
Anything else?
Paul Mackenzie, executive director of MSO, said: "This is the second consecutive year that McLaren Special Operations has used the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance to demonstrate our capabilities on Sports Series cars. Last year, soon after the launch of the 570S, we showed the 570S 'by MSO'. This year, we showcase the breadth of MSO personalisation work, this time focusing on bespoke engineering design and components. With its Electro-Chromic Roof especially, the McLaren 570GT by MSO Concept would be well suited to the needs and demands of customers in sunnier and warmer climates."