McLaren Automotive has lifted the cover on Project Chromology, a striking new bespoke interpretation of the McLaren 750S created in partnership with British abstract artist Nat Bowen. Known for her vivid resin artwork and deep exploration of chronology, the psychology of color, Bowen has helped McLaren Special Operations (MSO) push the boundaries of paint, texture, and emotional expression in automotive design.
At the core of the project is an entirely new paint technology developed by MSO: the Chromatic Layered Finish. Inspired by Bowenโs signature use of translucent resin layers, the finish builds color through multiple transparent coats, producing shifting tones and depth as light interacts with the surface. For the first time in MSO history, the technique incorporates a subtle raised texture within the paint itself, adding a tactile dimension that mirrors the physicality of Bowen’s studio pieces.
Each Project Chromology 750S is commissioned for a small group of MSO clients and features a bespoke color palette crafted around Bowenโs chromatic principles. These palettes are designed to evoke specific emotional profiles, from serene and contemplative hues to bold, energizing tones, turning each car into a rolling study of color psychology.
Jonathan Simms, Director of McLaren Special Operations (MSO) : “With Project Chromology, weโve translated an artistโs process into a new surface language for McLaren. The Chromatic Layered Finish brings a new level of depth, tactility and material complexity to our paintwork, and shows how far we can push color and texture as a design tool. It reflects the core of what MSO stands for โ expanding whatโs possible in bespoke craftsmanship and helping clients express identity through the form and finish of their McLarenโ.
In keeping with the high-art theme, MSO has debuted 24-carat, hallmarked gold-plated badging, created exclusively for the Chromology series. The badges, positioned on the nose, flanks, and rear, feature backing colors precisely matched to the carโs central palette tone, ensuring the color narrative flows through even the smallest details. Every buyer will also receive a unique original artwork by Nat Bowen, giving owners a physical extension of their vehicleโs chromatic identity beyond its sculpted carbon-fiber form.
The project made its global debut at Miami Art Week, an ideal stage for a collaboration that merges contemporary art, technical innovation, and supercar performance. MSO Director Jonathan Simms describes the initiative as a new frontier for the brandโs personalization capabilities, translating an artistโs creative process directly into the physical language of a McLaren. Bowen echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that color is emotion, and through Project Chromology, that emotion is brought into motion.
With its fusion of art, psychology, and engineering, Project Chromology stands as one of MSOโs most ambitious explorations of what bespoke supercar design can become.
Nat Bowen, British Abstract Artist: “Color is emotion โ itโs how we express who we are and how we connect with the world around us. ย Collaborating with McLaren has allowed that exploration to move beyond the canvas – transforming color psychology into a living experience. Together, weโve created something that fuses art, psychology, and performance in a way that feels both personal and powerful.”
