McLaren 688 MSO HS (2016)

The final ferocious iteration of the form, the 675LT was developed from the already ballistic 650S. The LT saw power rise from the original 640bhp up to 666bhp or 675PS. The car retained the McLaren developed MonoCell, a single-pressed Carbon Fibre Tub that weighs just 80kg and provides the car with the bulk of its rigidity. Despite the fact just 500 Coupes were made, the 675 had 33% new parts, and half of the 3.8Litre engine was upgraded to find an extra 25bhp. Inspired by the McLaren F1 GTR 'Longtail', the 675LT was 100kg lighter, more powerful and has 40% more downforce than the 650S below it. A stickler for facts and figures, McLaren managed to make the conrods 11% lighter, the spring rates 27% stiffer, the engine speed change rate 55% faster and even on the smaller scale, the front tyre grip was increased by 6%.

The 688 HS was a customer-led project by McLaren’s Special Operations team (MSO), who further developed the car. Created to enable the ultimate levels of personalisation in 2011, - roughly the same time as Ferrari’s Tailor Made program, MSO started off with a single, significant project named the X-1, a completely bespoke retro-futuristic design based on a 12C. The car took the international stages by storm and since have created a number of bespoke projects for low volume production. MSO from the very start has been far more than extended paint and trim team.

The MSO HS was introduced in 2016 and the changes were significant. The car received a comprehensive aerodynamics re-think. Liberal use of yet more carbon fibre saw additional canards adorn the front wings, paired with a revised front bumper and splitter. The roof sees the carbon fibre roof scoop as standard – optioned on c.40 of the LT at a cost of around £40,000! The front wings see carbon fibre louvres installed. The side sills, roof scoop and side vents are finished in gloss carbon fibre and the rear wing is completely redesigned. Inspired by that of the P1 GTR, the much larger mounted rear wing retains the active element of the 675LT with a much larger footprint, producing 220kg of downforce at 150mph. The engine bay is completely swathed in visual carbon fibre and the rear screen is significantly lightened. Both front and rear bumpers are finished in gloss carbon fibre.

MSO worked hard to further reduce the weight of the car and as such, it comes in 40kg lighter than a 675LT – already 100kg lighter than the 650S. Power was upped from 666bhp to 679bhp and 516lbft, all of which is available between 3,000-7,000rpm.

Just 25 examples were produced and each example was unique and unlike the LT, there was no roadster variant. Finished in MSO Satin Volcano Red, this example is one of just 3 examples built to receive the visual carbon fibre offset stripe – meaning each of the body panels beneath is finished in visual gloss carbon fibre. As such, the McLaren badge is gloss visual carbon fibre too, masked and with the satin Volcano Red paint around. Fitted with 10-spoke ultralight forged alloy wheels in gloss black with black callipers, carbon fibre centre caps with red MSO detailing like the sill mounted badging. Inside the car receives satin carbon fibre dashboard trim and the seats are trimmed in black Alcantara with red diamond stitching. Choosing Alcantara over leather for the interior further reaffirms the MSO drive for weight saving; 3.5kg in this instance.

Sold exclusively to its most loyal clients, all MSO HS’ were sold ahead of their announcement. From new, this example has been professionally dry stored on behalf of its original owner as a part of a significant collection. The car has covered just 2,950 kms from new and is available to view by appointment at our showrooms just outside London.