The McLaren 750S has just debuted, continuing the evolution started by the McLaren MP4-12C that made the brand into a world-class supercar maker. Along with exterior and interior upgrades, the supercar also gets more horsepower, torque, and new tech features.
The 750S looks familiar because it is an evolution of the 720S. Interestingly, this is only the second time McLaren has had a mid-cycle refresh over its 13 years of developing and selling sports cars.
The supercar’s trademark headlight air sockets and new front splitter improve aerodynamics. Mclaren also kept the dramatic dihedral doors, which the driver opens by moving outward, and the ducts in the doors that enable cooling for the V8 engine.
At the rear end, a massive diffuser and an active flap spoiler guarantee the 750S stops from 100 km/h in just 30 metres. The central exhaust also has a new design inspired by the McLaren P1.
You may be wondering what the 750S name stands for. The number 750 refers to the metric equivalent of horsepower in PS, which means the new McLaren produces 750 PS or 740 hp. The letter S stands for Sport.
The McLaren 750S has a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 that delivers 30 hp more than the previous-generation model due to higher boost pressure and a new twin fuel pump. Also, there is more torque: the 750S now develops 590 lb-ft of torque.
The performance figures are staggering: zero to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, zero to 200 km/h in 7.2 seconds, the quarter-mile in just 10.1 seconds, and a top speed of 332 km/h.
According to McLaren, the seven-speed Seamless Shift Gearbox (SSG) is faster by 10 per cent compared to the 720S, and there is a new feature called "limit downshift." Suppose the driver presses the downshift paddle earlier than expected. In that case, the gearbox mechanism and software will be on standby until it is possible to deliver a downshift without causing the engine to exceed the rpm limit.
The carbon fibre tub, the 10-spoke ultra-lightweight forged wheels, and the standard carbon-ceramic brake discs make the 750S a lightweight masterpiece. McLaren claims the 750S's dry curb weight, which does not include any fluids, driver and passenger, or cargo, is 1,277 kg (2,815 lbs), 36 kg lighter than the 720S.
The McLaren 750S has a double wishbone suspension, adaptive dampers, and the third-generation version of Proactive Chassis Control, which controls the hydraulically cross-linked opposite corners of the car to manage body motion and ensure a comfortable and dynamic driving experience.
Inside, the retractable dashboard from the 720S was replaced by a new instrument cluster that follows the same principle as the McLaren Artura. This new setup puts the engine power and handling setting buttons in front of the driver, making it less distracting because the driver does not need to remove their hands from the steering wheel to use them.
Another feature is the new infotainment screen in the dashboard's centre with a custom setup button that McLaren says “allows the driver to immediately turn on and off that preferred settings for ride handling.” Apple CarPlay is also now standard.
The 750S comes in two versions, the coupe and the Spider. The first one has a fixed roof, and the Spider is a convertible with a retractable hardtop, allowing the driver to hear the engine better.
The McLaren 750S is part of the McLaren supercar family, alongside the McLaren Artura. It sits between the GT lineup and Ultimate Series.
The new 750S coupe will start around $370,000 in Canada, and the Spider approximately $30,000 more. The first units will land in Canada in Q4 2023.
