Hello, you sexy thing. Not only is it a looker, but the ‘000’ McLaren 720S is making waves for its innovations in the world of exotic cars. That’s because it is the first car with a completely exposed carbon fiber exterior (and proud of it!) that is integrated with 3D-printed parts.
It appears even the luxury car industry is touched by the efficient and versatile 3D printing trade. While the idea of 3D-printed car parts might take a minute to digest, in reality it has been a long time coming. In fact, this particular prototype represents years of research and development and was brought into the light of day as a commission by 1016 CEO Peter Northrop, who will own it for personal use.
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“It’s no secret that 3D printing presents a dynamic case for more nimble manufacturing, but the technology has also allowed our engineers to realize drastic improvements to the quality and precision of each functional part,” Northrop said. “The 000 custom represents an industry first, and while we are incredibly proud of what we achieved here, this is just the beginning.”
While there is well-deserved excitement surrounding the fact that the carbon fiber frame successfully married the 3D-printed inner bumper structures, aerodynamic ducting and linkages in the wing kit, the fully-operational result is only part of the story. Perhaps even more notable is the fact that the parts can be printed with precision and are scalable for use on other McLaren models as well as other exotic car lines.
“Incorporating 3D printing into 1016 industries’ production processes has been a steep learning curve because this isn’t something that can be easily applied to the automotive space,” Northrop said. “This finished 1016 industries 000 720S is the result of thousands of hours of engineering, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the end result.”
With a lighter frame and parts, this one-of-a-kind custom-build sits 268 pounds lighter than the similar stock model. The smaller size means improved fuel efficiency and handling.
If you’re hoping to piece together your own McLaren 720S, you can find parts kits on the 1016 website here. Otherwise, prepare to cough up $550,000.
Images via 1016 Industries
