One-off McLaren 720S revealed at Dubai motor show

McLaren has revealed its latest McLaren Special Operations (MSO) one-off - a black and gold 720S bearing founder Bruce McLaren’s words on the rear spoiler. 

Created for a customer and on display at the Dubai motor show, this MSO 720S is finished in satin black paintwork with gold highlights across the interior and exterior. This includes a 24-carat gold engine heat shield and gold-painted wheels. Exterior upgrades replace the front splitter, air intakes, rear bumper and roof with carbonfibre units. 

Inside, the gearshift paddles, centre band to the steering wheel and door trim are finished in gold, although a carbonfibre steering wheel, sill panels and fascia vents carry the exterior theme to the interior.

Bruce McLaren’s quote “Life is measured in achievement, not in years alone” is emblazoned on the rear spoiler of the car in Arabic, stylised to resemble the Dubai skyline. On the inside, a plaque identifies the car’s one-off MSO status. 

Customising the car from a standard 720S took more than 120 hours, with 30 of those spent on the rear spoiler alone. Aside from the colour and interior trim customisations, the car is unchanged over the standard 720S. This means power of 710bhp from McLaren’s turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, a top speed of 212mph and a 0-62mph time of 2.8sec. 

McLaren’s last MSO project, two MSO R cars based on the 675LT, were sold to one customer. One is a coupé, the other a convertible. Perhaps the most famous MSO car, however, is the fuchsia pink 720S created for car collector Michael Fux.