If you’re in the market for the pinnacle in supercar performance, this one is worth a closer look. It’s the new McLaren 750S, and it has just made its debut in Australia during a special media event in Sydney.
The McLaren 750S is the successor of the almighty 720S, otherwise known as McLaren’s flagship production vehicle – keeping in mind vehicles like the P1 and Senna were strict limited-build models. This is set to be the last McLaren road car powered exclusively by a petrol engine.
Compared with the 720S, everything has been turned up. This is quicker, lighter, and more intelligent. It’s also nicer inside and easier to live with, and the renowned hydraulically-connected suspension system is even more dynamic than before.
New springs are brought in, cutting 0.5kg from each corner, and the suspension geometry is revised leaving 6mm added to the front track width to enhance handling. This is all paired with the latest McLaren Proactive Chassis Control system, now called PCC III.
Overall, McLaren says around 30 per cent of the components on the 750S are all-new compared with the 720S predecessor. Even the final drive ratio is different. It’s shorter than before for better low-end response, and there’s a new brake booster for improved feel.
Like the 720S, the 750S is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. It has been tweaked so it develops an incredible 552kW (up from 530kW) and 800Nm (up from 770Nm). As a result, the 750S covers 0-100km/h in a claimed 2.8 seconds (down from 2.9). The top speed is reduced from 341km/h to 332km/h, partly due to the shorter drive gearing.
In terms of practicality improvements, McLaren says the nose lift function now operates quicker, requiring half the time to lift up. Activating it is now done via a separate button on the dash rather than entwined into a steering column stalk.
Inside, McLaren introduces its latest Centre Information Screen touch-screen running improved graphics and display clarity, and there’s now Apple CarPlay. There’s also an improved parking camera system incorporating surround-view cameras.
The order books are open for the McLaren 750S in Australia, in both both coupe and Spider formats. Prices start from $580,163 and from $646,984, respectively (excluding on-roads).
