Launched in 2015, the Sports Series is McLaren's newest family of performance cars. Slotted below the Super Series, which includes nameplates like the 650S, 675LT, and 688HS, the Sports Series currently consists of three road-going models and a race car as of August 2016, all powered by the award-winning 3.8-liter V-8 engine. The lineup's most recent version is the 570GT, a less track-focused variant of the 570S with a more luxurious cabin, enhanced luggage room, softer suspension setting, and improved sound insulation.

Much like any other modern McLaren, the 570GT is also set to spawn one-off and limited-edition models modified by McLaren's customizing division, MSO, The British company previewed the 570GT by MSO at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, giving customers a closer peak at the special features the brand is readying for the nameplate.

"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," said Paul Mackenzie, executive director of MSO. "This year, closely following the reveal of the GT addition to the Sports Series family, we showcase the breadth of McLaren Special Operations personalization 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."

There's no specific word as to when the production car will arrive, but we expect it to hit the streets by the end of the year.

Updated 09/02/2016: McLaren will come at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille with a specially designed 570GT by MSO Concept, painted in a very cool Pacific Blue.

Continue reading to learn more about the McLaren 570GT by MSO Concept.

2017 McLaren 570GT by MSO Concept

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 McLaren 570GT by MSO Concept
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 562
  • Torque: 443
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

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MSO-designed models are usually almost identical to the standard cars, but with bespoke paints and exterior details, and this concept car is no exception. For this 570GT, MSO went with an Elite Pearl White color and a Black Piano package that includes deep-gloss black side skirts, front and rear bumper inserts, door inserts, and wheels. These are complemented by full-length sill panels in gloss carbon-fiber.

The concept also sports MSO's new Electro-Chromic roof. It includes the 570GT's standard-fit glass roof with UV-protective interlayer, but adds a further electro-chromic interlayer. Using a touch-sensitive headlining, the roof can be adjusted through five defined points from almost clear to a rich, dark tint, enhancing privacy and protection for occupants.

Interior

Inside, the mid-engined grand tourer features a Saddle Tan upholstery and the MSO Defined Carbon Fiber Package with rich gloss laquer finished door inserts and center tunnel sides. The sports car also received an integrated 12-speaker Bowers and Wilkins Hi-Fi system. All these upgrades make the 570GT by MSO the most luxurious McLaren ever built.

Other than that, it gets all the goodies that come with the standard 570GT. First up is a revised dual-zone air conditioning system that allows fully automatic and independent setting for both the driver and passenger. The cabin is also quieter due to the redesigned exhaust system and specially developed Pirelli tires. Further comfort comes from the eight-way adjustable, heated sports seats and fine leather and Alcantara.

Finally, there's the rear "Touring Deck" luggage compartment that offers 7.9 cubic feet of storage room in addition to the 5.3 cubic feet found under the front hood. This gives the 570GT a total storage capacity of 13.1 cubic feet, an unprecedented figure for a McLaren and quite impressive for a sports car.

Drivetrain

Under the hood, the 570GT by MSO features the same 3.8-liter V-8 engine as the standard model. The turbocharged unit cranks out 562 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and pushes the car from 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and from 0 to 124 mph in 9.8 seconds. The quarter-mile is covered in 11.1 ticks at 132 mph, while top speed is rated at 204 mph. Despite being this quick, the 570GT returns decent fuel economy at 16 mpg city, 19 mpg combined, and 23 mpg highway.

While the standard specs remain unchanged with the MSO concept, the bespoke division made some changes in the exhaust department. The new part is made from titanium, which makes it 30-percent lighter than the standard stainless steel system, and it's based on that of the 675LT. McLaren says it delivers a "progressively richer and more characterful tone more immediately as the revs rise." The exhaust’s heat shields are also finished in a golden titanium nitride tint, which changes color to a blue/purple as the system heats and cools.

Conclusion

Is this so-called concept car sounds familiar compared to other MSO-built McLarens, it's because everything you see inside and out will eventually make it into production. McLaren has done exactly the same thing before and concepts like these are actually production-ready prototypes. It won't be long until the first 570GT by MSO will leave the company's bespoke shop in England and this is exactly what customers will get. Of course, there will be several more custom exterior paints, as well as new upholstery colors and customizing options.