The British Are Coming: The All-New McLaren 720S Arrives

Though it was spoiled by a leak before its official unveil, the all-new McLaren 720S was still hotly anticipated. And recently at the Geneva Auto Show, the new British supercar debuted.

Being McLaren’s first-ever second-generation vehicle, I honestly expected only mildly updated looks. Well, McLaren pleased all with a fresh, futuristic look that still retains the automaker’s design ethos. One key element missing in the design, though, are the rear air intakes. Instead of these signature pieces, the 720S uses a “double skin” aerodynamic form in the doors to channel air back to the high-temp radiators. This gives the new supercar’s body a more slippery look and contributes to it being twice as aerodynamically efficient as the model it replaces.

McLaren 720S Super Series (Credit: © McLaren )

Low weight is a huge focus for McLaren. It satisfies this need in the new generation with copious carbon fiber, including its Monocage II central structure. This contributes to its svelte 2,828-pound dry weight (3,128-pound curb weight).

Inside, the 720S has a delicate combination of luxury and sport. It features fine leather and machined aluminum to create a modern and premium space for two people. It also features a Folding Driver Display and Central Infotainment Screen, but McLaren didn’t elaborate on these. The 720S also aims to set new standards in comfort and visibility in the supercar segment – two things that often get overlooked in this class.

McLaren 720S Super Series (Credit: © McLaren )

Behind the seats lays an all-new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine that cranks out 710 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 568 pound-feet of torque at 5,500 rpm. In European speak, the engine’s output is 720 PS, which is where the “720” n its name comes from. Shifting duties are those of a seven-speed SSG gearbox. All told, this supercar sprints to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, blasts through a quarter-mile in 10.3 seconds, and tops out at 212 mph.

Deliveries of the 2018 McLaren 720S will kick off in May 2017. Prices in the U.K. will start from £208,600, which translates to $253,845.