Geneva Motor Show Special: McLaren launch stunning 720S

McLaren have launched a drop-dead gorgeous new car, the 720S to introduce the second generation of their Super Series line of cars. The car gets a whole new interpretation of McLaren’s design language and has some staggering performance figures. The 720S has been launched as a replacement to the 650S.

The ‘720’ name is derived from its power output: a total of 720PS (710bhp) from the 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. It also makes 770Nm of torque, which goes straight to the rear wheels though a 7-speed transmission. It also has a weight of just 1283kg, courtesy the lightweight carbonfibre and aluminium chassis. All this means that 0-100kmph comes up in less than 3 seconds, 200kmph comes up in 8 seconds and the car will accelerate to a top whack of 341kmph. The brakes are equally impressive, bringing the car from 200kmph to 0 in just 4.6 seconds. The 4-litre V8 is an evolution of the older 3.8-litre V8 engine; 41 per cent of the components in this engine are completely new.

The 720S also gets independent active dampers, dual wishbones and McLaren’s Proactive chassis control II electronic package. Interestingly, the new Super Series doesn’t get radiator intakes on the side of the car; instead the the unique ‘double-skin’ aerodynamic form of the dihedral doors channel air to the high-temperature radiators to cool the mid-mounted engine.

The McLaren is already on sale and deliveries are slated to begin by June 2017. The McLaren 720S costs approximately Rs 1.7 crore in the UK.