McLaren 720S
“The challenge was to revolutionize the segment. But we also wanted to make a big leap in entertainment. We want to combine performance, emotion, refinement and efficiency in a single, beautiful whole.”
– Mark Vinnels
McLaren Product Director on the 720S
McLAREN 720S STATS
4.0Litre
Twin Turbocharged V8 Engine
720PS (710 BHP)
Power
2.9secs
0-100 Kph (60 Mph)
7.8secs
0-200 Kph (124 Mph)
341Kph (212 MPH)
Top Speed
770NM (568 LB FT)
Torque
Second Generation Super Series
McLaren 720S introduces the second-generation Super Series, the product family at the heart of the McLaren brand.
“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. 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.”
-Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive
The 720S is a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive, two-seater supercar and successor to the 650S Coupé. Built for both distance-driving and short journeys.
A New Chapter In Design
“The 720S is a new chapter in the development of McLaren’s design language; it has perfect proportions that bring our key design pillar of ‘Everything for a Reason’ together in one pure, aerodynamically shrink-wrapped and sophisticated whole. McLaren is always brave in its approach and this car is the perfect expression of that innovative culture.”
-Rob Melville, Chief Designer, McLaren Super Series
Lighter, faster, and even more dynamically capable than its McLaren 650S predecessor and with unparalleled levels of interior space and sophistication. Every profile, every curve on this car, has been designed for maximum driver engagement.
The aggressively contoured front bumper takes its inspiration from the McLaren P1TM. Visually dramatic, and cut deep into the front fenders to produce a distinctly predatory gaze. The unit is divided into two portions by sequential indicators that sweep across a thin LED light strip, with LED headlights positioned above and the aero-duct below.
The doors feature an 80-degree angle of opening and require 155mm less space per side than is needed to fully open the doors of a McLaren 650S. This increases accessibility when parked in tight spaces, especially in close proximity to a wall, and the doors also open to only 1,953mm high, an important factor in underground parking spaces.
Driver Enjoyment
The steering – faster reacting than a 650S – uses one software ‘map’ in all chassis modes, but as chassis stiffness progressively increases through Comfort, Sport and Track, so the driver senses a heightened level of feedback and response through the three-spoke, sports steering wheel of the new 720S.
A dual-clutch, seamless-shift gearbox with paddleshift controls delivers power to the rear wheels, and can either shift between the seven gear ratios automatically or defer to the driver having full manual control. Transmission software developed in-house by McLaren maximises the gearbox’s performance strategy, with quicker shifts enabled by ignition-cut and downshift speed further enhanced by the lower inertia of the new engine. A launch-control function delivers 2.8-second 0-60mph runs, reflecting the overall experience of sharper, faster gear changes quicker than achieved by a McLaren 675LT and creating a deep sense of mechanical connection between car and driver.
“Driver enjoyment and involvement has been central to the chassis development of the new McLaren 720S. Not only is the car more capable and more compliant than even the renowned McLaren 650S, we have also prioritised feedback and fun right up to and beyond the limits: drivers of all abilities can head to a racetrack in a 720S and experience truly exceptional grip, balance and control.”
-Chris Goodwin, Chief Test Driver, McLaren Automotive
Lighter. Stronger. Faster.
A development of the technology first seen in the McLaren P1™ hypercar, the Monocage II, is a one-piece carbon fibre tub that includes the upper structure. Every road car built by the British manufacturer since the McLaren F1 in 1993 has had a carbon fibre chassis and McLaren’s expertise in carbon fibre construction, which dates back to the ground-breaking MP4/1 Formula One car of 1981.
Other weight reductions are seen where the electrical system is now 3kg lighter than that of the first-generation Super Series, the braking system saves 2kg and the structural air boxes 1.5kg. The new suspension also delivers a significant weight-saving being 16kg less than the 650S. The 720S has an outstanding power-to-weight ratio of 561PS-per-tonne in lightest dry weight form. Removing significant mass from the highest section of the vehicle also lowers the centre of gravity by 3 per cent compared to the 650S, contributing to the 720S’ benchmark handling excellence. The inherent rigidity and lightweight construction of the new McLaren 720S gave McLaren’s engineers the perfect platform – quite literally – to produce a car with the widest breadth of ability of any McLaren that establishes new dynamic benchmarks in the supercar segment.
McLaren Special Operations (MSO)
An extensive range of carbon fibre parts – both interior and exterior – are available as options for owners wanting to personalise their new McLaren 720S and there is of course always the possibility of engaging McLaren Special Operations (MSO) to produce a truly bespoke car.
Carbon fibre Monocage II
At the core of the McLaren 720S is the Monocage II, a one-piece carbon fibre tub that includes the upper structure.
McLaren engineers have capitalised on the inherent structural integrity of the carbon fibre Monocage II structure to deliver unusually slim windscreen pillars and transparent, glazed C-pillars and a large rear screen, which also help to deliver over-the-shoulder visibility that is peerless among supercar rivals. The canopy-like design also provides a feeling of 360-degree vision for occupants that is unrivaled in the supercar class, allowing light to flood into the cabin and setting a new benchmark for visibility. This design also creates generous door opening space enabling effortless cabin access.
The inherent strength of carbon fibre also ensures exceptional occupant safety in the event of a crash and the Monocage II is why the 720S has a lightest dry weight of just 1283kg (compared to 1301kg for a comparable 650S Coupé).
Proactive Chassis Control II
The world’s most advanced suspension. Proactive Chassis Control II utilises a multitude of sensors to analyse and adjust the car’s dynamics for maximum grip on all surfaces.
It adds an extra dimension to your own skills and features hydraulically-interlinked dampers at each corner of the car and removes the need for anti-roll bars.
Double the aerodynamic efficiency of the 650S and a new generation of McLaren’s Proactive Chassis Control combine with new suspension and the established excellence of McLaren’s power-assisted, electro-hydraulic steering to deliver a driving experience that is unmatched in terms of sheer breadth of dynamic capability.
Active Aerodynamics
One of the key points in the design of the new McLaren 720S is the absence of radiator intakes on the side of the car; this function is carried out by the unique ‘double-skin’ aerodynamic form of the dihedral doors.
Fast flowing air is directed around the windscreen and sleek A-pillars into channels concealed within the doors to the hidden high-temperature radiators that cool the mid-mounted engine.
Every curve and feature of the 720S is designed to channel air in, through and around the body as efficiently as possible. Digital LED headlights are integrated within ‘eye-sockets’ that feature an aero duct to channel air to the low-temperature radiators.
Despite the increased cooling requirements of the new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, cooling performance has been maximised through design, without the need to increase radiator dimensions or mass.
The New M480T Engine
Powering the 720S continues the lineage of McLaren’s multiple-award-winning, twin-turbocharged V8 engine series. This new 4.0-litre engine generates a maximum of 720PS and up to 770Nm of torque, delivering truly astonishing levels of performance: standstill to 100km/h (62mph) takes less than 3 seconds and just 5 seconds later the car has passed the 200km/h (124mph) mark. Maximum speed is 341km/h (212mph).
A new cast aluminium plenum bearing the McLaren Speedmark logo is visible through a mesh cover and is illuminated on vehicle unlocking.
New Braking System
The new braking system fitted to the McLaren 720S comprises standard-fitment, carbon-ceramic discs (390mm diameter front and 380mm diameter rear) and lighter, stiffer powerful six-piston calipers.
With the new brakes, significantly improved tyre performance and grip and optimised brake pedal feel and modulation at the limit, the stopping power of the new 720S is exceptional: deceleration from 100km/h (62mph) to standstill is achieved in less than 3 seconds and 30m (29.7m) and even more impressively, from 200km/h (124mph) in just 4.6 seconds, covering 117m – six metres better than a 650S and almost on par with the legendary McLaren P1TM.
Developed by McLaren for use in Formula OneTM, McLaren Brake Steer once again enhances vehicle agility. The innovative technology imperceptibly brakes the inside rear wheel to reduce under steer or transfer power to the rear wheel with more traction on corner-exit.
Folding Driver Display
The hub of all information, calibration and entertainment is the new McLaren Driver Information System (MDIS). In Full Display Mode, the Folding Driver Display presents the required array of information on an upright, high-definition TFT panel, with three different layouts and colour variations depending on whether the car is being driven in Comfort, Sport, or Track modes. At either the touch of a button, or automatically if linked by choice to the active dynamics functionality, the display slides down to Slim Display Mode. In this position, only the minimum of required information is displayed, further improving forward visibility and allowing the driver to place the car even more precisely in a corner. This is an ideal condition for drivers wanting the minimum of distraction, for example when extending their 720S on a track. Summary telemetry and live timing data can be viewed in the Full Driver Display during driving, aiding track performance by placing data directly in the driver’s eyeline.
Central Infotainment Screen
The primary hub for interaction between a driver and their new McLaren 720S is an 8-inch display with rich crisp graphics that presents the vehicle’s electronic functions to suit driver preference. Audio, media, navigation and other convenience features – such as mood lighting colour – are all controlled using this screen, which has applications displayed on a vertical carousel as well as several dedicated quick-access keys, with climate control functions permanently visible across the bottom of the screen.
One of the driver engagement features on the 720S is McLaren Track Telemetry. The latest version, which has been completely redesigned for the new 720S, now features measurement of throttle angle and lateral/longitudinal G-force in addition to timing and speed measurement.
More comprehensive information, including G-maps, throttle position and full lap history, is available from the central screen, Track Telemetry Cameras can record laps from inside the cabin. All telemetry data collected can be downloaded to an external medium for detailed review after driving and the video footage can be analysed alongside the data to allow drivers to perfect their skills by reviewing their performance.
McLaren Variable Drift Control
McLaren Variable Drift Control Is a new electronic control feature making its debut on the 720S.
Available when the stability-control system is switched to ‘dynamic’ and the Active Dynamics Panel is set to either Sport or Track, Variable Drift Control allows the driver to determine the level of traction control assistance and therefore the limit of oversteer. A display on the central infotainment screen graphically illustrates the maximum drift angle the system will permit.
To increase or decrease the permitted drift angle, the driver adjusts the settings with a finger-tip slider on the screen. Settings used for ‘drifting’ can be retained for future use in the bespoke settings in ‘Favorites’.
McLaren 720s Sound & Fury
“The sound of the car is part of its personality, it’s the equivalent of the voice of a person. It’s part of its character.
We calculate a lot of different variations of exhaust. The calculations give the right character to the car and these are the ones we actually build. It’s very important for the cars to sound like McLaren cars. From the beginning, we wanted to have an aggressive and loud sound but at the same time, to be a clear sound. We wanted the car to be comfortable to drive in normal conditions but when you’re on a track, we wanted the car to be as engaging as possible.”
-Andreas Rousounelos (Senior NVH Engineer, McLaren Automotive)
Wheel Options
5-Spoke forged wheel
Seen in Platinum. Also available in Gunmetal or Diamond Cut finish.
Super Lightweight 10-Spoke forged
Seen in Gunmetal. Also available in Stealth or Diamond Cut finish.
5 x Twin-Spoke cast wheel
Seen in Bright Silver. Also available in Stealth finish as an option.
