Skip to main content

For those who always need to stand out, McLaren’s 650S MSO is a super-rare supercar

With only two models currently available, McLaren fans may be left itching for a new supercar, at least until the 986-horsepower P1 GTR shows up.

To keep its customers occupied until then, McLaren will unveil a 650S MSO special edition at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed. It’s a production version of the MSO Coupe Concept unveiled in China earlier this year.

MSO stands for McLaren Special Operations, the British carmaker’s bespoke division. In keeping with its mission statement, MSO has given this car a few extra touches that distinguish it from an off-the-rack 650S.

The production 650S MSO gets many of the concept’s carbon-fiber bits, all in a model-specific satin finish. However, it also gets its own 10-spoke alloy wheels, which weigh almost nine pounds less per wheel than stock, and are held in place by titanium bolts.

2015 McLaren MSO 650S Spider
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Buyers will also get to have their cars painted in the concept’s evil-looking Agrigan Black. Papaya Spark (orange) and Sarigan Quartz (silver) will also be available. The latter is an all-new color for McLaren, and features a hint of gold.

The interior is upholstered in carbon-black leather and Alcantara, and features plenty of carbon fiber bits. Each 650S MSO also comes with a weekend bag designed to match the interior design.

There are no apparent mechanical changes, so the MSO will pack the same 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 as the stock 650S, with 641 hp and 500 pound-feet of torque. That should get it from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, and on to a top speed of 207 mph.

The McLaren 650S MSO will debut in convertible Spider form at Goodwood, but will also be available as a coupe. However, there won’t be many: Just 50 units will be built.

Pricing starts at 252,000 pounds (about $428,551 at current exchange rates) for the coupe and 272,500 pounds ($462,496) for the Spider. Deliveries will begin before the end of the year.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Mercedes-Benz G580 first drive: old-school off-roader goes electric
2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

American car buyers mostly know Mercedes-Benz as a luxury brand. But for decades, the automaker has also produced the tough, rugged G-Class (also known as the Geländewagen or G-Wagen), an SUV not afraid to get its leather upholstery muddy. And now, this iconic Mercedes is going electric.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology — the final name of the SUV previously known as the EQG — isn’t the first electric off-roader. The Rivian R1S and R1T and GMC Hummer EV have proven that electric powertrains and off-roading are a great combination. But the electric G-Wagen is different because it’s based on an internal-combustion model — and a very traditional one at that.

Read more
Honda believes hydrogen semi trucks will make the case for fuel cells
Honda hydrogen fuel-cell semi truck.

Honda remains committed to hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, but the market for those vehicles remains limited. So Honda is looking at other uses for fuel cells -- including commercial trucks.

To show how that could work, Honda converted a semi truck to fuel-cell power, replacing its diesel engine with three fuel-cell modules. Together, the three modules produce a combined 321 horsepower, and can propel the truck to a top speed of 70 mph. There's enough onboard hydrogen storage capacity for a 400-mile range with a full load, Honda claims.

Read more
Mercedes-Benz G580 vs Rivian R2: Is the much cheaper Rivian actually better?
2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 from three quarter view.

Mercedes-Benz has finally taken the wraps off of the new "Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ Technology." Yeah, it's a mouthful, but it's basically a new electric G-Wagon. It looks a lot like the G-Wagon you know and love, but with an electric powertrain and a battery. It's not the only electric SUV out there, however, and there are some great ones -- like the Rivian R2.

Both the Mercedes G580 and the Rivian R2 have a lot going for them, but they also approach the electric SUV slightly differently. Is one better than the other? I put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The approach that the two vehicles take to design is quite different -- and you might like one better than the other.

Read more