THE first deliveries of the McLaren Speedtail are scheduled for 2020, and for some of the 106 people who managed to secure an order for what is billed as a “hyper GT,” the build process begins now.
McLaren Automotive has just released its Colours and Materials Inspiration Story, basically a fancy name for three design collections meant to inspire deposit-holders of the Speedtail into thinking about how they would like their cars to look like when these roll off the production line in Woking, England. True, the Speedtails will be tailored to customers’ individual specifications (the cars will be built by hand). But the curated range of design inspirations is intended to help make the build process less demanding for them.
Three design collections are offered by McLaren — Urbane, Visionary and Dynamic — each of which defined by themes.
Urbane is a collection of three themes, all proposing a sophisticated look through calm exterior hues matched to subtle interior tones for the Speedtail. Among the themes is Stratosphere, in which the car is finished in gloss 1K carbon-fiber with the contour pack that accentuates the aerodynamic features of the car’s bodywork. It’s set off by bespoke brushed light blue anodized aluminum trim and badges made of platinum with TPT carbon inlays. In this theme, the cabin sees a metallic light blue driver’s seat combined with light gray covers for the passenger seats flanking the one for the driver. Navy blue panels and stitching, as well as more light blue anodized aluminum accents, complete the look.
The Visionary collection introduces purposeful aesthetics through moody shades and opulent touches. It includes the Astral theme that plays off the United Kingdom’s nautical heritage — the Speedtail’s cabin is dominated by navy blue, specifically for the nubuck-wrapped passenger seats and the full aniline leather driver’s seat. Also to be rendered in navy blue are the Nebular quilt and digital print on nubuck for the upper trim. The cabin’s color scheme is then contrasted by an orange paintjob with silver pinstripe for the bodywork. Additional accents are gloss 1K carbon-fiber aero pieces and badges in18-karat white gold with TPT inlays.
The Dynamic collection is sporty and futuristic. Its Bloodline theme bursts with bespoke red pieces on the bodywork, which is complemented by gloss black and diamond-cut wheels that have copper edges, through which silver brake calipers peek. In the cabin, the driver’s seat comes in full aniline red leather, contrasting against white semi-aniline passenger seats. The theme is also marked by a steering wheel clasp, paddle shifters, and window and door bezel surrounds in white TPT carbon quartz.
McLaren assures that, no matter which collection is chosen, Speedtail customers can personalize their car to the smallest detail. Also, to help them design their cars, customers will be allocated a Bespoke Liaison Manager and be given access to the services of the McLaren Special Operations division.
“Only 106 customer cars will be built, and it is important that each one is unique. So this tailored collection is, quite simply, like no other — just like the McLaren Speedtail itself,” says Jo Lewis, McLaren Automotive’s head of color and material design.
When finished, the 1,036-horsepower gasoline-electric hybrid Speedtail will be the most powerful and fastest car created by McLaren. Therefore, it deserves to look as best as it could.
