McLaren 720S revealed in Geneva

The new McLaren 720S made its global debut this week at the 87^th Geneva International Motor Show, introducing the second-generation of McLaren’s Super Series.

“Super Series is the core of the McLaren business and personifies the blend of extreme performance, crafted luxury and unparalleled driver involvement that is the McLaren heartland,” said Mike Flewitt, CEO at McLaren Automotive.

“This is the first time we have replaced a product family and the new 720S is absolutely true to McLaren’s pioneering spirit in being a revolutionary leap forwards, both for our brand and the supercar segment.”

The unveiling of the brand’s new supercar confirms both the 720S name and 720PS horsepower of the first model in the second-generation Super Series.

The Surrey-based manufacturer of luxury, high-performance sports and supercars claims the new 720S is lighter, faster and even more dynamically capable than its 650S predecessor.

The new 720S has been described as the most distinctive and remarkable McLaren yet. One of the key points in the design of the new Super Series is the absence of radiator intakes on the side of the car; this function is carried out instead by the unique ‘double-skin’ aerodynamic form of the dihedral doors, which channel air to the high-temperature radiators that cool the mid-mounted engine.

The new M480T engine continues the lineage of McLaren’s twin-turbocharged V8 engine series. The 4.0-litre unit, which has 41 per cent new part content compared to the 3.8-litre engine that continues to feature in the McLaren Sports Series, generates a maximum of 720 PS and 770 Nm of torque.

Standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes less than three seconds, and an additional five seconds to pass the 200 km/h (124 mph) mark on its way to a maximum speed of 341 km/h (212mph).

Braking is equally impressive, with the new 720S able to come to a halt from 200 km/h (124 mph) in just 4.6 seconds, covering 117 metres.

McLaren’s expertise in carbon fibre structures – every road car built by the British manufacturer since the McLaren F1 in 1993 has had a carbon fibre chassis – underpins the construction of the new 720S.

The architecture of the car is based around a new carbon fibre tub and upper structure – the Monocage II. This technology delivers heightened strength and rigidity in a lightweight structure and is the ideal base for any supercar.

A new generation of McLaren’s Proactive Chassis Control, new suspension and power-assisted, electro-hydraulic steering, all combine to deliver huge reserves of grip, balance and performance.

The new 720S, which is priced from £208,600 is now available to order from McLaren retailers, with the first customers scheduled to receive their cars in May.  Three grades of specification are offered with Performance and Luxury trims extending above the standard level.