McLaren X-1 Is A Genuinely Exciting Concept

This is the amazing McLaren X-1 Concept car.

This breathtaking new concept from McLaren is named the X-1. Designed following a special challenge, the designers really went to work with this one.

“One of our clients who already owned a McLaren F1, a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and now a 12C, wanted a unique car,” says MSO Programme Director, Paul MacKenzie. “The conversation began with our Executive Chairman Ron Dennis almost three years ago ? before the 12C was even launched. The client wanted a machine that had all the capability of the 12C but wrapped in a unique body that reflected his needs and personality.”

In a subsequent meeting, Paul Mackenzie and Design Director Frank Stephenson went to see him to start to explore the sort of car he wanted.

Says Frank Stephenson: “The key qualities the client desired were “timeless and classical elegance”. Which was some challenge.”

That meeting with Mackenzie and Stephenson lasted for almost three hours. From the pages of notes that were gathered, the design team brought together hundreds of images from the world of automotive, architecture, fashion, design and even film. These were then presented to the customer, and were then narrowed down to a mood book, full of inspiring images from which the design spirit of this unique car would be derived.

Apparently, after considering a huge number of classic cars, it was confirmed that front engine with rear drive offered the most appealing visual language (to use designer terminology). The X-1 shares the same the major mechanical components as the 12C, including the twin-turbo 625PS engine, giving astonishing acceleration and top speed.

So, what do you make of this retro inspired car with beautiful lines and a potent engine? For my money, it is one of the best cars to be shown this year.