Audiophile loudspeaker company, Bowers & Wilkins, has launched a new version of its award-winning wireless speaker in collaboration with long-standing partner, McLaren Automotive. Introducing the new Zeppelin McLaren Edition.
The new McLaren-inspired version celebrates both the partnership between two leading performance brands and McLaren’s 60th anniversary.
Audiophile Sound Meets Iconic McLaren Design
Following the success of the Bowers &Wilkins Px8 McLaren Edition headphones, they have created a specially designed version of its Zeppelin wireless speaker, featuring a refined Galvanic Grey finish and subtle Papaya Orange highlights inspired by McLaren Automotive’s design approach.
Reflecting McLaren’s technical and performance-led aesthetic, the ZeppelinMcLaren Edition offers the high-performance sound quality synonymous with Bowers & Wilkins, coupled with a design that connects fans of McLaren cars to the visual identity of the McLaren brand.
A Reimagined Wireless Speaker for the Streaming Age
The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin is a complete stereo system in onecomponent, a wireless smart speaker reimagined for the streaming age. It features reference-quality drive unit technologies arranged in dedicated left and right speaker assemblies around a central, large subwoofer, all poweredby 240W of amplification. The result is room-filling stereo sound no single-box rival can match.
Combining proven drive unit technology with its high-resolution streaming platform, the overall result is exceptional music performance whether from awirelessly connected source or via a streaming service.
Upgraded multi-room capability and new streaming services
Coinciding with the launch of the new Zeppelin McLaren Edition, Bowers & Wilkins has introduced wireless multi-room capability. The new model, along with all compatible Zeppelins, will now benefit from extended multi-room compatibility with both the Panorama 3 and the Formation portfolio of wireless speakers. This allows Bowers & Wilkins users to seamlesslyconnect and configure their in-home wireless speaker system, all easily set-up and controlled via the Bowers & Wilkins Music app for ultimate convenience.
Inspired by 60 years of McLaren Racing and Design
Bowers & Wilkins is also announcing a limited-production version of the Zeppelin created tocelebrate the 60th anniversary of McLaren and Bruce McLaren’s legacy. Only sixty pieces of theZeppelin McLaren 60th Anniversary Edition will be produced.
This limited-edition version features racing livery-inspired colors, including a vibrant orange finish,giving the Zeppelin’s instantly recognizable silhouette an even more distinctive aesthetic, while a Speedy Kiwi on the rear of the product pays homage to Bruce McLaren’s pioneering vision. The sixty limited-edition models are available exclusively from select McLaren dealerships worldwide.
This is a Limited Edition Audiophile-Grade Wireless Speaker
Only 60 units will be made and at $899, this is likely to be a collector’s item upon its release.
How Bowers & Wilkins, an Audiophile Loudspeaker Brand, Inked Branding Deals with McLaren F1 Racing and the James Bond Movie Franchise
Bowers & Wilkins, the British audio company known primarily for its high-performance loudspeakers, has steadily expanded its brand visibility through selective and high-profile partnerships. Among the most notable are its collaborations with McLaren, the iconic Formula 1 racing and supercar manufacturer, and the long-running James Bond movie franchise. These deals mark a strategic shift for Bowers & Wilkins from being solely an audiophile-oriented brand to one that engages with broader lifestyle and luxury markets—all while maintaining its core identity in high-end audio.
A Legacy in Audiophile and Studio Environments
Founded in 1966 by John Bowers in Worthing, England, Bowers & Wilkins built its reputation through acoustic innovation and a strong presence in both consumer and professional audio. Its 800 Series loudspeakers, in particular, have become closely associated with top-tier music reproduction, and their use in recording studios like Abbey Road helped cement the brand’s credibility with musicians, producers, and critical listeners.
While the company continued to innovate with speakers, headphones, and automotive audio solutions, it also began to explore strategic partnerships that could align with its values: precision engineering, performance, and design.
The McLaren Collaboration
Bowers & Wilkins’ partnership with McLaren became official in 2022, when it was announced that the company would serve as the Official Audio Partner of the McLaren Formula 1 Racing Team. However, the relationship between the two brands dates back earlier through B&W’s involvement in McLaren Automotive’s in-car audio systems. Bowers & Wilkins developed premium sound systems for several McLaren road cars, including the 570GT, 720S, and GT models. These systems were custom-tuned for the unique cabin environments of each vehicle.
The formal partnership with the F1 team allowed both companies to extend their shared focus on performance, engineering, and British design into new territory. In practical terms, this meant Bowers & Wilkins branding appeared on the McLaren F1 car, driver uniforms, and across team media. The brand also released limited-edition versions of its consumer headphones, such as the Px8 McLaren Edition, which featured distinctive colorways inspired by McLaren’s automotive palette and design cues.
For Bowers & Wilkins, the McLaren partnership presented a way to connect with a global audience of motorsports fans and technology enthusiasts while reinforcing its identity as a precision-engineered product brand. The association with a high-speed, high-tech sport like Formula 1 aligned naturally with B&W’s image as a maker of sophisticated, performance-focused gear.
The James Bond Connection
In 2022, Bowers & Wilkins announced a partnership with EON Productions, the company behind the James Bond film franchise. The deal included branding tie-ins and limited-edition products, most notably the Px8 007 Editionheadphone. The release was timed to mark the 60th anniversary of the Bond franchise, which began with Dr. No in 1962.
This collaboration was less about product integration and more about cultural alignment. The James Bond franchise has long been known for showcasing luxury, British craftsmanship, and advanced technology—all attributes that Bowers & Wilkins wanted to highlight within its own brand identity. Unlike the McLaren partnership, which has direct ties to automotive sound engineering, the Bond relationship was more symbolic, aligning the brand with a cinematic legacy of style and sophistication.
The Px8 007 Edition headphones featured minimalist branding and design elements inspired by classic Bond aesthetics. Unlike many movie tie-ins, the headphones didn’t deviate from the performance or build quality of the standard Px8 model. Instead, they offered a subtle variation for fans of the franchise who were also interested in high-end audio.
