McLaren Automotive of the UK and Japanese electronics giant JVCKenwood showed off an innovative concept car at the recent CES 2016 consumer electronics show in Las Vegas, US.

Featuring cutting-edge electronics to facilitate safe driving, the concept car is based on the new McLaren 675LT Coupe and uses JVCKenwood’s CarOptronics system, which includes a heads-up display (HUD), camera side mirror system and a camera rearview mirror system.

Offering a fully digital cockpit experience, the concept car demonstrates how effectively CarOptronics works, with the HUD combining with its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to communicate information to the driver.

With the HUD, the driver receives all necessary information with very little eye movement necessary, helping the driver concentrate more on the road, contributing to control, safety and security. The ADAS detect the presence of vehicles, and the display interface devices communicates information collected to drivers.

The aerodynamic digital cameras are designed to reduce weight and drag resistance, while also aiding downforce at high speed.

The Digital Rear View Monitor (DRVM) also replaces a conventional rear view mirror. The combination of three cameras offers a wider rear field of view. The DRVM is effective at reducing blind spots thanks to high resolution imagery and optimisation of the driver’s control.

The 675LT Coupe, which recently went into production at McLaren’s plant in Woking, is the most driver-focused, lightweight and aerodynamic model in McLaren’s Super Series family. Limited to 500 units, all sold out within a matter of months.

McLaren’s team was tasked with incorporating the CarOptronics system into the coupe while maintaining its minimalist interior. 

To do this, the team created a panoramic yet purposeful interior using a mix of classic McLaren materials and new fabrics. The result is still recognisable as McLaren, but takes interior design a step forward. 

Carbon black nappa leather is used to finish the top of the dashboard, upper beltline and forward portion of the central floor tunnel.  A new geometric black technical fabric with a waxy grained finish is applied to the area in front of the driver. This is then positioned to appear as if it is floating by a strip of satellite grey technical fabric across the dash area and into the doors. 

The centre console is removed with the air conditioning system to offer an even more spacious feel.  The steering wheel is borrowed from McLaren’s track-devoted McLaren P1 GTR, with the IPAS (instant power assist system) and DRS (drag reduction system)  buttons replaced by positioning controls for the  HUD with fighter plane inspired graphics. The HUD makes conventional instruments redundant, replaced by a vent to provide cooling air directly to the driver. A flash of colour is provided by calypso orange anodised vertical strakes, a colour and material that also surrounds the steering wheel-mounted start/stop button.

Calypso orange nappa leather is applied to the bolsters of seats and to the armrests. Further flashes of orange appear on the seat shoulders for the seat belt guides.  For the seat backs, centre of the tunnel and armrests, more satellite grey technical fabric is employed. The seat centre and floormats are covered in hard wearing strata ribbed textile, a new material for this concept. Above the driver sits the monitor for the DRVM. It has been integrated into the carbon black nappa leather headliner and framed with deep cobalt blue stitching that continues back across above the driver and passenger.

The concept’s exterior remains little changed except for the door-mounted rear view camera blades and third camera above the rear number plate with its housing painted palladium grey. More visible are JVCKenwood silver racing stripes that start from McLaren badge and continue over the roof to finish ahead of the longtail airbrake. The stripes are also applied to each side of the car.

The concept was built to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the partnership between the McLaren Formula One team and JVC Kenwood.