McLaren Sabre - developed by customers for themselves

Piston.my

McLaren Sabre – developed by customers for themselves

People who can afford to buy a McLaren will often want to have a degree of personalisation, especially in place like Beverly Hills where neighbours might also own McLarens. So what the dealer there did was to offer 15 customers not only an exclusive version specially commissioned from McLaren Special Operations (MSO) but also invite them to participate in the development process.

Known as the McLaren Sabre, the hypercar is designed and homologated exclusively for the US market, stretching design, engineering and aerodynamic conventions to new limits. It has the most powerful non-hybrid McLaren twin-turbo V8 engine to date, generating 824 bhp/800 Nm. With a claimed maximum speed capability of 350 km/h, it is the fastest-ever two-seater McLaren.

Only 15 units produced
The Sabre by MSO is the co-creation of its customers and McLaren Special Operations designers and engineers. There are just 15 examples, each personalized and featuring ideas and innovations that global homologation would not necessarily permit. The first customers have received their cars this week, just in time for Christmas.

The Bespoke Commission customer experience includes a close working relationship with the MSO development team of designers, engineers and test drivers to ensure that the finished car would exactly match their desired and personalized concept.

Extensive level of access
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have been involved with a number of very special cars and I’ve never seen a manufacturer give clients the level of access that McLaren Special Operations has provided for the Sabre,” said Parris Mullins, Motorsport Director for a racing team. “Everything from visiting the ‘skunkworks’ style design studio in the UK to flying out the actual development test mule for clients to get behind the wheel of and drive at a private track –these just aren’t things you typically get access to.”

The build process culminated with a highly exclusive and secret track day for customers. Each owner was allowed to drive a development car multiple times throughout the day, while being coached from the right seat. After returning from the drive, owners met in a private room to give direct feedback via video chat to the design and engineering team back in England.