As part of the celebrations for its 50th anniversary, McLaren has released commemorative models of the MP4 12C and MP4 12C Spider - limited to exactly 50 numbered examples of each body style - with a number of special styling and specification features that won't be available on standard production versions.
These come out of McLaren Special Operations, which is responsible for custom projects, in collaboration with the McLaren design team led by Frank Stephenson.
They include a remodelled front bumper that provides increased front downforce; it was inspired by the limited-run HS Edition models but in this case the lower section, around the air intakes, is made from carbon fibre while the front floor is made from a race-inspired carbon-Kevlar mix.
CARBON-CERAMIC BRAKES
The background of the McLaren badge on the bonnet (does a mid-engined car have a bonnet? - anyway, you know what we mean) is finished in black, as on the F1 cars; the black badge was previously available only on one-off MSO specials.
The McLaren 50 commemoratives will have the MSO carbon-ceramic brake upgrade, with 394x36mm discs at the front, and 380x34mm at the rear, fitted as standard, behind very special forged McLaren 50 rims - 19" in front and 20" at the rear - finished in satin black, each one 500g lighter than even the optional Super Lightweight wheels.
The McLaren 50 12C models are trimmed with a full leather upgrade, including special logos on the carbon-fibre sill panels and floor mats, and a numbered anniversary dedication plate on the driver's door.
SPECIAL ORDER ONLY
They're available in a choice of three colours - black, silver or McLaren's signature orange, with special carbon-fibre turning vanes, also embossed with the McLaren 50 logo.
Each McLaren 50 will come with a monogrammed black and silver car cover, a limited-edition key in a carbon-fibre presentation box and a specially commissioned print signed by design director Frank Stephenson.
Prices in the UK are £196 000 (R2.8 million) for the McLaren 50 12C and £215 500 (R3.1 million) for the McLaren 50 12C Spider. Local distributors Daytona Group say they will only be imported to South Africa on special order so, as they say, price on application.