Frank Stephenson, the designer behind some of McLaren’s most recognisable road cars, has returned to the P1 with an all-new, one-off commission that reimagines the hybrid hypercar more than a decade after its launch. The project, McLaren P1 EVO, is the first in a new line of bespoke and limited-run automotive commissions under the banner of frankstephenson Design.
This unique project has been commissioned by Freddy ‘Tavarish’ Hernandez, the well-known US car content creator, and represents the first of several bespoke and limited-production builds planned by Stephenson’s growing design house.
For Stephenson, revisiting the P1 holds special significance. First unveiled in 2013, the P1 was McLaren’s landmark hybrid hypercar and a milestone in his career. Now, more than a decade later, the P1 EVO will revisit that ground-breaking shape with a freer, more personal design language.
Frank Stephenson, Creative Director, frankstephenson Design said: ‘This is a special moment for me – the continuation of a lifelong vision: turning bold, conceptual design projects into reality, where innovation and beauty are fused through a truly end-to-end creative process.
‘To start with a customisation of the P1, a car that carries such personal and professional significance, is incredibly exciting. The P1 was a standout project in my career, and returning to it now, with the freedom to explore it from a fresh perspective, feels like a fitting way to reflect the creative direction of the studio.’
While exact details of the P1 EVO’s redesign remain under wraps, the studio confirms it will be a ground-up reinterpretation rather than a simple restyling exercise. Early concept work is underway, with full-scale prototyping scheduled to begin this summer. Testing of the final car is planned for 2026 at venues known for demanding the very best of machinery. Followers of the Tavarish Youtube channel will already know that the hybrid powertrain has been removed as the car was flood damaged, and will be running a highly-tuned version of the McLaren V8.
Alongside the P1 EVO, frankstephenson Design is positioning itself for broader automotive ventures, including full OEM design services, limited-run collector cars and high-spec custom builds for private clients. New production partnerships in the UK and UAE will support the growing slate of projects.
For more details, visit: frankstephenson.com
