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The folks from McLaren Automotive are keeping us company this month on the internet – this time around with a couple more photos and some performance figures for the 650S, due for debut next month in Geneva.
The 650S is essentially a reworked 12C, designed to compete against the Ferrari 458 Speciale. It will be available in both Coupe and Spider variants, with the latter offering a retractable folding hard-top. The 650S features an advanced and upgraded design over the 12C featuring many cues from the P1 hypercar, which looks to be the future of the McLaren design language.
The 650S is powered by an uprated version of the 12C’s 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8, producing 471kW @ 7250 rpm and 678Nm @ 6000 rpm which drives the rear wheels via McLaren’s 7-speed Sequential Shift Gearbox (SSG). McLaren tells us that this makes the 650S potent enough to sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.0 seconds flat, from 0-100km/h in 8.4 seconds, run a ¼ mile in 10.5 seconds, and able to reach a top speed of 333km/h. This makes the 650S a full second quicker than the iconic F1 from 0-200km/h and 0.6 seconds quicker across the ¼ mile.
The bodywork has taken much influence from the P1, and as such includes massive aerodynamic upgrades over the 12C, resulting in a 24% increase in downforce levels at speeds of 240km/h.
The 650S also features bespoke MC1 branded tyres on the lightweight forged 650S alloys. The tyres were developed in partnership with Pirelli and are an evolution of the P Zero Corsa tyre.
Despite the track-focused intent of the 650S, it features an active chassis control suspension system with Normal, Sport, and Track modes, the lightest of which ensures comfortable road travelling. It also comes kitted with satellite navigation, Bluetooth telephony, a digital radio, wireless connectivity, audio streaming, and voice control. Optional extras will be fixed-back carbon racing seats based on those in the P1, electric steering column adjustment, a rear parking camera, and extra carbon fibre in the cabin.
‘The McLaren 650S represents 50 years of road and racing car know-how,’ comments Mike Flewitt. ‘Everything we’ve learnt from the 12C and the McLaren P1™ has gone into this car, creating a car with the widest breadth of capabilities of any production supercar. It’s also a new benchmark in pure driving excitement.’
British pricing has been revealed, with the coupe priced from £195,250 (R3 516 843), while the 650S Spider starting at £215,250 (R3 877 083). Expect those prices to climb for the South African market after import duties though.
Details and photos of the 650S Spider can be found HERE.
