Update from Chris Burdick: I’ve updated this article with some of my own pictures from the Geneva Motor Show of the Mansory McLaren MP4-12C, although it was nearly impossible to get a good shot of this car.

If there is a common complaint we’ve heard about the McLaren MP4-12C, is that isn’t special enough. As in, exotic and a standout. We’ve seen it in person and beg to differ, but to each, his own. On the other hand most of tuner Mansory’s creations are lambasted for being over the top; in other words “too special.” The two worlds collide with the Mansory McLaren MP4-12C at the Geneva Motor Show.

We like orange, but this one starts out with a particularly hideous, Hot Wheels-like shade of it combined with gold wheels. Not our thing – do their designers have any taste? As far as the actual body itself the bumper has been redesigned to include LED daytime running lights and nearly nothing has been left untouched. Mansory added carbon fiber bits, vents, scoops and new aprons front and rear.

These changes increase the car’s width by about 2.3 inches, which Mansory says aids in boosting downforce. It’s not that it is bad (we think the paint/wheel combination does it for us…) but it is too much. We like Hennessey’s work with the HPE800 a lot better. It only makes us more convinced that McLaren made the right call going an understood look though. Although that is the focal point, Mansory’s changes don’t stop with the exterior. Changes to the engine include a new high-performance exhaust system, reworked engine management system and air filter that increases airflow.

The changes boosting by an impressive 62 horsepower, up to 661 horsepower and 497 pound feet. Mansory quotes the standard “series” MP4-12C’s at 599 hp and 442 lb-ft. As far as showing up in one though, we don’t think so. Not unless we wanted to show off our lack of taste, both in the amount the tuner charges for the changes and in the car’s design itself. No thanks, we’ll stick with the MP4-12C as it is.

This is from a while back, 2007 actually, but I couldn’t help but stare at this fabulous machine. Called by Mansory the “Conquistador”, this is a Rolls-Royce Phantom that, with just a few visual changes, became something far more than a mere luxury automobile.

There are actually two versions, the 2007 and the newer 2008. I personally like the 2007 one, as Mansory made the new one two-tone white and black, which looks alright. However, pure black is so much nicer, especially on a car called “conqueror” . The old Conquistador, with its severe black suit, imparts a certain elegance and a sense of the refined, along with a darker, mightier, and more dangerous sense as well. Sort of like the Mafia godfather who absolutely NOBODY messes with. Or maybe it’s just me, once again giving cars attributes they don’t possess.

External modifications are plentiful, and, like it always is with Mansory, serve really no purpose other than to make the car look cool. Which is absolutely fine.

The front of the car has become wider and more imposing, a new front spoiler is responsible for that. The Conquistador has integrated daytime-running LED bars, a nice touch, as well as elongated grill stripes. The headlights and taillights have been blacked out, which usually has the wannabe-cool Civic look, but in this case it looks boss. Little chrome details and aluminum side skirts and fender louver enhance the overall look, while a “sport” spoiler adorns the back along with stainless steel exhaust tips. Finishing it all is a super deep, shadow-black lacquer made by Glasurit, which, according to Mansory, makes it “more than magic”.

The interior, can you believe it, is even more luxurious than a “standard” Rolls-Royce’s. Raw carbon fiber combined with polished maple inlays in combination with ambience light effects impart an extravagance bordering on ludicrous. Quilted seat sections nestle the lucky guy in ungodly luxury, while passengers in the back get their very own integrated computer, which folds down from the back of the seat. Alcantara make up the dash and the roof lining, and the Mansory designed steering wheel has a more powerful, estate kind of look.

As for performance, it’s hard to believe anything this big could go over 60 mph, but it manages, and easily at that. A 0-60 time isn’t available, but Mansory probalby tuned this thing to hit it in 5 seconds. Top speed is 168 mph, which is amazing for a machine of this size. Not surprisingly, a big car needs a big engine, and the colossal 6.75 liter V12 pushes out 490 horsepower, and 575 lb-ft of torque. Giant Brembos and massive 24 inch wheels complete the package.

There’s not much left to say, at least nothing that the photos have not already conveyed. A fantastic creation, which shows once again that Mansory has the right to meddle with perfection.

Specs

Price: (no idea, but most likely upwards of $600,000 or $700,000)

Engine: 6.75 liter V12

Top Speed: 168 mph

Horsepower: 490

Torque: 575 lb-ft

0-60 mph: (not available, but I’m guessing around 5 seconds)

Mileage: (no clue, but I can sure as hell bet that it’s not good)

The SLR McLaren, the beastly exoticar from Mercedes, just got beastlier

Mansory, the expensive, high-end, exoticar modifier, is responsible.

This is Mansory’s newest project, and perhaps the ultimate modified Mercedes.

And don’t be thinking that it’s just another Brabus-type aftermarket package, ’cause this is beyond anything Brabus, or anyone else, could have ever done.

Its debut at the 2008 Gevena Auto Show caused quite a stir, mainly among the rich who could not wait to get their hands on one. The rest of us common members of the John Q. Public could only sit back and dream.

From the nose to the fenders, from the design all the way to the paint and interior, this car has been completely remade. It now sits lower, has an overall more exotic and aggressive body, and has a new name- the Mansory Renovatio. Frankly, I’m surprised that no one has written about this car yet, as it is so insanely cool.

All of the body parts are made of carbon fiber, and a lot of attention was paid to aerodynamics and performance. For example, the nose package is specially designed to deliver more air to the engine, and the side skirts calm the air between the axles, as well as providing support for the side exhaust system. And the gold paint, of course, is to make the car look cool.

The interior is also beautifully designed by Mansory, and it combines raciness with luxury. The seats are covered in special “Mansory” leather, and the steering wheel has been redesigned. The aluminum pedals, carbon fiber trim, and illuminated door tread all finish the package up quite nicely.

But don’t be fooled into thinking that this is just a visual package ’cause Mansory tinkered with the performance as well. Tinkered with it quite a bit, in fact.

Claimed top speed is 211 mph, and it now accelerates from 0-60 in 3 seconds flat-all thanks to its Mansory tuned 5.5 liter V8 engine. What Mansory did, is instead of replacing or remaking the engine, they upgraded it by replacing stock parts with theirs. The changes include Mansory’s supercharger, their performance compressors, a sports air filter, and custom intercoolers. As a result, the car now has 690 raging stallions and 649 pound-feet torque. Mansory’s super lightweight, one piece, forged turbine wheels and performance tires combine to make this car a formidable presence indeed.

So if you have the money and the connections, and if your SLR just doesn’t seem to outshine that neighbor who always pisses you off, and who just happens to drive a Ferrari 599, consider the Renovatio. The rest of us can only dream and wish we had one, ’cause that sure is one helluva ride.

Daaamn.