McLaren MSO tricks out a 570GT hatchback for a Pebble Beach debut

By Stephen Edelstein Published October 14, 2016

McLaren brought another customized supercar from its MSO (McLaren Special Operations) personalization division to the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

The McLaren 570GT by MSO concept is a tweaked version of the 570GT hatchback that debuted earlier this year at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. As with previous MSO specials, the point of the concept is to show potential customers the array of personalization options available from the factory.

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The car is painted Pearl White with Piano Black trim, including the wheels, side skirts, front and rear door inserts, and bits of the interior, giving the 570GT a definite Stormtrooper vibe. The concept also features an electro-chromic roof that eventually be offered on production models. It can be adjusted from almost clear to dark tint using a touchpad on the headliner. That way drivers get the experience of a glass roof, without having to roast during particularly oppressive sunny days.

Read more: Koenigsegg brings first U.S.-spec car to Monterey Car Week

The interior is finished in Saddle Tan with the aforementioned black accents, and gets a 12-speaker Bowers and Wilkins audio system. The 570GT is distinguished from the 570S coupe by a luggage compartment situated over the engine, and accessed by a glass rear hatch. That makes the 570GT marginally more practical, which is an important part of the car’s mission. McLaren pitches it as a more compliant and comfortable alternative to the 570S that’s better suited for long trips.

Underneath the glass hatch, the 570GT by MSO concept uses the same 3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 as the stock 570GT, but with a new titanium exhaust system. While they should make the car sound better, the new pipes don’t seem to affect performance. Output is still 562 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque, enough to get the 570GT from 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds, and on to a top speed of 204 mph, according to McLaren.

The McLaren 570GT by MSO concept won’t go into production as is, but virtually everything on the car should be available to customers ordering their own 570GTs in the near future.

Stephen Edelstein

Former Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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