From Bruce McLaren to Ron Dennis to many others, there were many autophiles and automobile cognoscenti behind the making of the McLaren brand and its ultimate in sportscars. And McLaren Automotive has given us many gems, including the current model, the 720S. Not only has each successful model or series from McLaren gotten better over the years, with the advent of the 720S, the supercars from this brand are also getting stupendously good-looking.
The 720S is not just one car, it is part of a targeted plan by McLaren to introduce 15 new cars by 2022. While the pandemic may have put a spanner in its works, the new cars are definitely coming in and include the 2021 McLaren 720S and its convertible sibling, the 720S Spider.
So let’s talk about the coolest features in the all-new McLaren 720S, which is a definite masterpiece in the world of hypercars, supercars, and sportscars.
10 The McLaren 720S Can Beat A Bugatti Veyron In Speed
The McLaren 720S is absurdly fast. So fast, in fact, that it ties with the equally insane Porsche 911 Turbo S, hitting 0-60 MPH in 2.5 seconds, which makes it faster than the Lamborghini Aventador Superveloce.
It can also zip 0-100 MPH in 5.3 seconds and do the entire 0-100-0 MPH in 8.8 seconds. Even if that gives a faint-hearted driver the palpitations. It does the quarter-mile in 10.1 seconds at 141.5 MPH, making it faster than the 10.4-second, 139.9 MPH Bugatti Veyron. 'Nuff said.
9 The 720S Packs A Small But Mighty Engine
There’s no replacement for displacement? Wrong, or so says the McLaren 720S that bears a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, and yet manages to belch out a whopping 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft torque, all sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
And it can hit top speeds of 212 MPH for those who feel it's all about the destination with a journey that has to be hair-raising fast. Don’t expect this car to be environment friendly, not at a fuel economy of 15/22 MPG EPA rating.
8 The Coupe Alone Has Three Models To Choose From
If you like your McLaren 720S with the roof on to keep you safe, and you like all that wind not to hit your noggin, then the 720S comes in four different coupe versions. There is the 720S Coupe that comes in a single configuration and with it, you get variable drift control as well as a carbon-fiber monocoque.
Then comes a McLaren 720S Luxury model, which you can have in two configurations. Think leather, power seats, and dark trim. Finally, there is the 720S Performance model, in two configurations with carbon fiber as well as Nappa and Alcantara, of course.
7 You Can Also Get Your Convertible Thrills With The 720S
If you have to have the wind ruffle your hair, and rip out some from the roots as well, there is the 720S Spider, with a roof that gently hums off via electric motors in just 11 seconds. At speeds of up to 31 MPH. And McLaren is so proud of it, it has applied for three patents for it.
To make the 720S into the 720S Spider, there have been alterations made to the monocoque frame, making the 720S Spider a whole new model, and thereby also ensuring it is as safe and almost as fast as the hard-topped models.
6 Want More Track Focus? Try the McLaren 765LT
While the McLaren 720S is pretty impressive, it’s a straight-line car, fast as long as you don’t have to corner all that much. So if you are a McLaren fan and want a 720S that is more track-focused, go for the 765LT. It comes rated at 755 horses and 590 ft-lb torque and in a straight line, it trails the 720S, hitting 0-60 MPH in 2.8 seconds.
But when it comes to curves and cambers, the 765LT can leave the 720S far behind. This is one hardcore, track-focused model. But it’s a limited model, and it is already sold out, all 765 examples of them.
5 The Bug-Inspired Exteriors Of The McLaren 720S
The McLaren 720S looks like something the Martians dreamed of with bug-like features, angular creases but rounded ends. The LED headlights are darkened at the edges and in the rear, the blade-like spoiler and the integrated taillights add charisma.
A massive vent runs through the width of the car, with the exhaust tips integrated into it. The design is seamless and screams nothing but performance. With a 178.9-inch length, the McLaren 720S rides on a 105.1-inch wheelbase.
4 The Interior Is Practical But Better Than Before
For all the snazzy exterior design, the interiors of the 720S are simple but classy. Carbon-backed bucket seats to keep you in place with a simple steering wheel with no distracting buttons at all.
Then there’s the center console that also bears a seven-inch touchscreen, angled towards the driver which carried all the buttons and the information. The angling towards the driver isn't something many brands think of. But then again, the McLaren is not just any brand of car.
3 Ingress, Egress, And Storage Are A Pain
The McLaren 720S is a pure sportscar, supercar even. So do not expect it to be practical when it comes to seating or storage. While the seats are in themselves fairly comfortable, getting in and out is a pain. The dihedral doors help but shutting them once you are in, is another pain.
And in terms of storage, well, within the cabin all you get is a cupholder and a place to keep your phone. Period. You get some six feet of cubic space in the trunk so a family car, this is not.
2 The McLaren 720S Special Features Are All About Performance
So we get it, the McLaren 720S is not high on creature comforts. But you do get some of the more conventional stuff like cruise control, auto-leveling headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, heated power-folding side-view mirrors, soft-close doors, and more.
There’s dual-zone climate control and a rearview camera with parking sensors as well. For the best performance, you get adaptive dampers, variable drive modes, launch control, drift function, and the McLaren Track Telemetry, with cameras or without, to analyze your performance as a driver.
1 So Is The McLaren 720S Still ‘Just A Car’?
The 720S does not come cheap, with the base variant starting at $299,000 and the top trim going for $380,000. That’s a whopper of a price but then again, the McLaren 720S claims to be faster than the P1 Hypercar, so there could be some justification there.
For that price, McLaren claims it is a safe car with that carbon fiber frame, although NHTSA is never going to crash one to find out. And you also get a limited and powertrain warranty for the first three years on no mileage limits. Is the McLaren 720S for you? Well, check your pockets and your gumption.
Sources: MotorTrend, TopGear