McLaren expands the aftermarket options for owners of the 12C, 650S and 675LT

• McLaren expands the range of aftermarket personalisation options for owners of the 12C, 650S and 675LT
• Available for all Qualified pre-owned McLaren Super Series models
• Range now includes a wide selection carbon fibre accessories produced by McLaren Special Operations under its MSO Defined portfolio

Current and future McLaren Super Series owners can now refresh the design of their cars through a range of dramatic McLaren Special Operations (MSO) Defined accessories. 

Offered and installed through McLaren retailers, the options can now be widely applied to any McLaren Super Series models from the 12C to the 675LT and at any point in the car’s ownership.  

The accessories enhance the dramatic design of the car and in true McLaren fashion, also frequently bring a performance advantage, as a result of weight saving.

Among the exterior embellishments in the MSO Defined Super Series collection are a Carbon Fibre Rear Diffuser, which reduces weight and enhances airflow, and Carbon Fibre Mirror Arms which can be coupled with matching mirror casings.  

The range also includes Carbon Fibre Louvered Front Fenders, which take inspiration from McLaren historic race cars, such as the renowned 1970 Can-Am winning McLaren M8D to save 0.5 kilograms over the standard equivalent. 

They feature vented wheel arch liners, to remove turbulent air from under the wheel arches giving more grip over the front axle. 

Also available is a carbon fibre bonnet that is finished in visual carbon fibre for increased impact, as seen on the limited-edition McLaren 650S Can-Am model. 

Interior enhancements begin with MSO Defined Carbon Fibre Vent Bezels. Carbon Fibre Sill Tops highlight the driver-focused design of the cabin, as well as protect the sills of the MonoCell structure.  

While likely to interest the track day enthusiasts are a Carbon Fibre Steering Wheel, which can be trimmed in leather or Alcantara®, and Extended Carbon Fibre Gear Shift Paddles. 

Carl Whipp, Aftersales Director at McLaren Automotive, commented: “The growing MSO Defined portfolio gives customers an opportunity to further personalise their cars and significantly expands our wider accessories portfolio.  We have experienced significant interest in the MSO Defined range on Super Series cars being ordered new and we are now very pleased to be bringing these features to a wider group of customers as a retrofit choice.”  

The aftermarket enhancements in the Super Series MSO Defined range are available for existing owners and new customers purchasing through the Qualified programme.

The Uk now accounts for over £21 Billion in aftermarket car care and servicing, some of the best maintained in the world.

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• British motorists spend £695 each every year looking after their cars – 12% more than the global average.¹
• UK most competitive sector in Europe, with greatest share for independent service outlets.
• Aftermarket sector generates £12.2 billion for the economy and supports 345,000 jobs repairing and maintaining Britain’s 30 million-plus cars.

British cars are among the best maintained in the world, with UK motorists spending a collective £21.1 billion a year on servicing and repair. That’s according to a new report – the first official industry analysis of the UK automotive aftermarket – published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The report, The Importance of the Aftermarket to the UK Economy, commissioned by SMMT from independent research consultancy Frost & Sullivan, reveals that UK consumers spend an average £695.39 on car maintenance every year – some 12% higher than the average global spend per car of £621.62.² The report also states that compared with other markets there are fewer cars in disrepair, generating excess pollution or needing new brakes on British roads.

With more than 42,500 vehicle service and repair locations of all types, the UK aftermarket is a huge, diverse and highly competitive industry. With a strong franchised dealer network and the largest share of work carried out by independently owned businesses in Europe at 64%, it offers consumers a wide choice of where and how they have their cars serviced – and how much they spend. Parts and labour costs at independent outlets can be up to 65% and 45% lower respectively.

The report also reveals the significant economic contribution made by the UK automotive aftermarket, which delivers an annual £12.2 billion direct to the UK economy and supports more than 345,000 British jobs. As the number and age of vehicles on UK roads increases, thanks to a healthy new car market, ever-improving quality and ever-more advanced servicing techniques, by 2022 the UK aftermarket is projected to be worth some £28 billion with an employee base of around 400,000.

The report’s findings come as the first ever Automechanika aftermarket trade show in the UK opens today at Birmingham’s NEC. The exhibition brand already has a presence in 14 markets and the growing UK sector is the latest to be identified as a key investment destination.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said,“The UK’s aftermarket is one of the most competitive in the world and plays a critical role in keeping Britain’s 30 million-plus cars³ roadworthy. Robust competition and a strong independent sector have helped reduce the cost of vehicle ownership in the UK and provided greater choice to consumers. For this growth to be sustained, however, the sector must stay abreast of evolving vehicle technologies and changing mobility patterns.”

The UK aftermarket is already the fourth largest in Europe by car parc size, with more than 30 million vehicles in use requiring regular servicing and maintenance work, and it is set to overtake France to take third place by 2022. By the same measure, it is also the eighth largest sector of its kind in the world; bigger than those in Brazil, Korea, Canada, and even India.

The way people buy and use cars is also changing rapidly which, according to the report, presents the aftermarket with both opportunities and challenges. The shift from outright vehicle purchase to leasing and a longer-term trend from car ownership to ‘usership’ will require new business models, while the new era of vehicle connectivity will also present opportunities for businesses prepared to embrace technological change.

The digitisation of retailing is also having an impact on the way consumers’ needs are served, with motorists increasingly using the internet to compare prices and products and schedule maintenance work. The UK aftermarket is well placed to respond, with the highest penetration of online retail for automotive parts and services at 7%, ahead of Germany and France at 5% and 4% respectively.

The report calls for a greater emphasis on investment in skills and equipment to ensure the aftermarket responds to increasingly complex vehicle technologies, as well as maintenance of competition regulation to ensure consumers continue to benefit from choice, convenience and competitive prices.

Opening today and running until 9 June, the first ever Automechanika Birmingham will see thousands of investors and buyers visit more than 550 aftermarket and supply chain companies at the NEC. Of the 15 Automechanika trade shows that now exist worldwide, Birmingham’s event is set to be the second biggest debut behind only that of Frankfurt’s flagship show.

Volvo launches the new range of accessories to boost your normal car into a Polestar performance vehicle.

Polestar introduces a whole new line of high-performance products in the form of Polestar Performance Parts, offering even more driving pleasure to Volvo drivers.

Polestar Performance Parts offers a wide range of extensively developed enhancements for the Volvo S60, V40, V60 and XC60 models to begin with, including chassis parts, wheels, exhaust, interior and exterior details, and more.

"We have received strong feedback over a long period of time from customers all over the world regarding Polestar Performance Parts. We are delighted to be able to meet the demand, starting from today. This is a product improving on the already strong base of Volvo cars in terms of performance, handling and driving pleasure," said Niels Möller, Chief Operating Officer of Polestar.

All Polestar Performance Parts are designed under the philosophy "Made to Perform", fully utilising the 20-year motorsport experience of the engineers and racing drivers from Polestar and its motorsport partner Cyan Racing.

"What we learned on the racing circuits with our colleagues at Cyan Racing is that championships are not won in a single lap. The secret of our success on the tracks is in creating balanced and precise cars that are predictable for the driver to control in all situations. 

Lessons learned on the tracks are transferred directly into the development of our road cars and performance products. The new range of Polestar Performance Parts is no exception – they are designed and developed with the very same philosophy," said Henrik Fries, R&D Director of Polestar.

The Polestar Performance Parts can be purchased as a complete package, including chassis parts, wheels and tyres, intake and exhaust, as well as exterior and interior parts. All of these components will together create a more compelling driving experience, especially in combination with the Polestar Performance Optimisation, and can be bought in separate packages as well.

All Polestar Performance Parts are developed and tested together with Volvo Cars to the same high standards as all other products. This process ensures a perfect fit and finish, with no impact on the Volvo factory warranty, while most importantly increasing driving pleasure.

The Polestar Performance Parts will be available from participating Volvo dealers in April. Prices are yet to be announced. Further Volvo models will be included in the Polestar Performance Parts range in due course.