The lightest and most powerful series-production McLaren, the new V8-engined, rear-wheel drive 750S, is unashamedly a supercar for the purist, as James Fuschillo discovers
We all need a hero in our lives right now, and the super variety needs the right vehicle to go about their work – and the McLaren 750S would be that car. Laying eyes on it for the first time, the sleek and aerodynamic look really does scream Batmobile, especially if it came in all black, matte. And considering McLaren will customise the colour to whatever your heart desires, consider that a given.
Designed and engineered following meticulous analysis of the renowned McLaren 720S, the new 750S combines advances in weight-saving, powertrain performance, aerodynamics and dynamic excellence to elevate a benchmark driving experience to new heights. Around 30 per cent of 750S components are either new or changed in order to deliver these improvements, and they are noticeable, from the way the car drives, to dealing with problems that suburban life may throw at you.
Settling into the 750S, it’s probably the closest thing you can get on the ground that resembles being a fighter jet pilot. These cars are built for speed, but for me the level of comfort and security blew me away.
Speed, however, is not forgotten. The engineering developments advance the renowned daily usability of the 720S, and yet the power and performance of the 750S is more full-blooded and undiminished than ever. Outright acceleration is phenomenal, with 0-100km/h (62mph) achieved in 2.8 seconds.
The interior is very minimalistic, but at the same time high tech. The 750S fuses innovative technology with exquisite materials, but most importantly is even more driver-focused in design. At the heart of the driver experience are new displays, both for information and instruments, with the instrument display fitted to – and moving with – the steering column. This driver-centric display is mounted in a binnacle that has the controls to select Powertrain and Handling modes located on either side, meaning the driver can move effortlessly between Comfort, Sport and Track Active Dynamic settings while keeping their hands on the wheel and a complete focus on the road ahead.
This also is a supercar for the petrolheads out there. The engine is located to the rear, but thanks to a fancy design feature, you can see inside the car into the engine bay. Come the night and the engine bay is illuminated red, which really does give the car the x factor. This is a car where you can not only admire its design, but also the mechanics that go into making it such a joy to drive.
The exhaust system is another change from the 720S. That had two circular exhausts at the back next to each tail light, whereas in the 750S it has been replaced by a much bigger, central exhaust with a completely different design, including a really sexy touch that assists with braking. Driver Downforce (active wing partially deployed, dependent on speed) is engaged when the Aero button is pushed in the cabin, increasing downforce levels during high- speed cornering. The design and positioning of the single, central exhaust pipe meant that the new active rear wing is positioned 60mm higher, its revised static position bringing additional powertrain cooling by drawing hot air out of the engine bay.
It was a joy to take the 750S onto motorways and clear A roads, but I was also keen to put it through its paces through a suburban set up. A really good function on the car is McLaren’s Proactive Chassis Control linked-hydraulic suspension, a real game changer in a suburban area, enabling you to lift the car’s nose in four seconds at the touch of a button. The new-generation system delivers even higher levels of suspension performance and is integral to the outstanding dynamic abilities of the 750S.
Comfort in design, but also in practice. The suspension springs are softer at the front and stiffer at the rear than in the 720S, which together with reconfiguration of both the passive and active elements of the bespoke valve stack and a new approach to tuning the suspension – adjusting the accumulators in the struts, which is used for the first time in 750S – benefits ride comfort, roll control, steering feedback and cornering balance.
The way the 750S handles is a dream, and also the acceleration off the mark. You can feel the raw power, it’s so responsive. When you are going up in speed so quickly you also need to have handling matching that and I thought it was a really well balanced car. The extraordinary levels of exhilaration, precision, agility, feel and feedback that the 750S delivers are immediately apparent to the driver, even at lower speeds – and its low weight is a key factor in its dynamic performance. At just 1,389kg (DIN), it weighs 30kg less than a 720S – a clear example of McLaren’s dedication to lightweight engineering.
VERDICT
With the new 750S, McLaren defines a new benchmark for supercar performance and driver exhilaration.
SPECS AT A GLANCE
ENGINE CONFIGURATION
M840T engine, 4.0-litre
twin-turbo V8, 3,994cc
POWER
PS (bhp/kW) @ rpm 750
(740/552) @ 7,500rpm
TORQUE
Nm (lb ft) @ rpm 800 (590) @ 5,500rpm
TRANSMISSION
7 Speed SSG. Comfort,
Sport and Track modes
STEERING
Electro-hydraulic; power-assisted
CHASSIS
Carbon fibre Monocage II
monocoque with aluminium front
and rear crash structures
SUSPENSION
Independent adaptive dampers, dual
aluminium wishbones, hydraulically
linked PCC III system. Comfort,
Sport and Track modes
BRAKES
Carbon Ceramic Discs (390mm front;
380mm rear); Aluminium Calipers
(6-piston front; 4-piston rear)
LENGTH
mm (inches) 4,569 (180)
WHEELBASE
mm (inches) 2,670 (105)
HEIGHT
mm (inches) 1,196 (47)
WIDTH
with mirrors, mm (inches) 2,161 (85)
WIDTH
mirrors folded, mm (inches) 2,059 (81)
FUEL TANK CAPACITY
litres (UK/USA gallons) 72 (15.8/19)
LUGGAGE CAPACITY
litres Front: 150 Rear: 210
