McLaren X-1

[Pup]

This is a one-off that was built specifically for an apparently important customer. But it's an interesting design departure to say the least. At first glance, it was a complete wtf for me - but it's growing on me very quickly. It's a lot like what I imagine a modern Citroen DS would look like. Under the skin, it's all 12c...



Since the 12c was essentially an inherited design for Frank Stephenson, I wonder if this is a signal of what he really has in mind for McLaren.

[Harvey]

Isn't this just some blue sky thinking? Along the lines of what Ferrari offer their loyal and super wealthy customers - see Eric Clapton's recent 512EC, and the awesome P4/5. But McLaren don't have a shelf of iconic designs from their history to plagiarise. From the article I read it seems that Customer L had an idea of the general shape, along with the items that inspired him, and Mac ran with that and had an internal competition for the final design.

To me it looks a bit like what a modern Peugeot hybrid sports car concept would look like. Think it's the lights/grille/bonnet treatment that says that to me. It also looks, from that angle at least, like it should have a significantly narrower track on the rear than the front.

[Sombrero]

Thank You. Well, I was looking for an alternative car for my old flying DS.

FANTOMAS

[Belatti]

[Saribro]

Looks more like an R8 with covered rears to me.

[Just_a_fan]

There is a bit of Batmobile about it too.

[mep]

It looks horrible, what a waste of money.

[Pup]

Mackenzie and Design Director Frank Stephenson met with the client for three hours to discuss his ideas for the model. He said it should borrow cues from classic cars (a 1961 Facel Vega, a 1953 Chrysler D'Elegance Ghia, a 1959 Buick Electra, a 1939 Mercedes-Benz 540K and a 1971 Citroën SM), a Jaeger LeCoultre clock, an Airstream trailer, a Thomas Mann Montblanc pen, a grand piano and an eggplant.

And an eggplant.

[bhallg2k]

Rich people are weird, man.

The part that gets me is "...Stephenson met with the client for three hours to discuss his ideas for the model." I'd have a hell of a lot more than three hours worth of something to say about a custom car, especially one that likely cost at least a million dollars and took design cues from produce.

[Pup]

Three hour initial meeting. They go on to say how they had numerous meetings, a design contest, built physical models for the client, etc.

[Pierce89]

This is hideous. I guarantee Macca charged a bundle and then some to build something so ugly with their name on it.

[bhallg2k]

Three hour initial meeting. They go on to say how they had numerous meetings, a design contest, built physical models for the client, etc.

That makes sense. But, frankly, the result still looks like about three hours of brainstorming and little more.

[Morteza]

God I can't stand looking at that thing Those doors and that body simply don't blend together. McLaren, please don't let this car ruin the good images we have of your road cars in our mind

[Just_a_fan]

What this car proves is that car design really isn't something that just any old person can do.

The client will have said I want X and Y and Z and it would have been the designer's job to make it work as a road legal car.

Just another example that money can't buy taste...

[strad]

Spinners...It needs spinners....better yet the spinners that don't spin,,,Floaters