The 750S could well be McLaren’s last non-electrified supercar, as electrification is considered the future for supercar brands around the world, jeopardising the fossil fuel car industry as well as all enthusiasts of the sound and feel of such an engine.
In fact, McLaren already has the P1 and the Artura, both hybrids. Lamborghini has also adapted, launching its Revuelto, powered by an electrified version (with three electric motors) of the legendary and fabulous V12 petrol engine. And Ferrari has embraced the trend with its SF90 Stradale, the brand’s first series-production PHEV.
All this makes the 750S very special, as McLaren claims that it is “probably” the last non-electrified V8 supercar it will ever be able to produce. Not because they don’t want to, but because they won’t be allowed to anymore. As emphasised by Charles Sanderson, McLaren’s Technical Director: “I think it’s likely to happen, because of the regulations worldwide regarding internal combustion.”
So, if this truly represents an end, then the 750S is a fitting farewell. The engine in question is its 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 that produces an impressive 552 kilowatts and 800 Newton-metres, transmitted via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It forms the core of this new high-end “predator” from McLaren, with the 750S being a direct successor to the 720S model – a vehicle that redefined the standard of performance when it was launched in 2017. This new model is an evolution, with some exterior updates that may go unnoticed (the exhaust outlet has been moved to the centre, for example, the rear wing is slightly larger and there are new bumpers), but it’s the things you don’t see that make the biggest difference.
The wheels are the lightest ever fitted to a standard McLaren, reducing the unsprung weight by almost 14 kilograms. The rear wing isn’t just bigger, it’s also lighter, saving another 1.6 kilograms, and the new suspension springs reduce it by a further two kilograms. The carbon fibre seats are also lighter, saving an impressive 17.5 kilograms compared to the basic seats in the 720S.
Then they turned their attention to the V8 engine, extracting even more power and introducing a shorter final gear to make this McLaren 750S seem even faster. The zero-100 kilometres per hour dash is achieved in 2.8 seconds, while the 200 kilometres per hour in just 7.2 seconds. And anyone wanting to reach 300 kilometres per hour will need just 19.8 seconds.
Driving is surprisingly simple, with its comfort mode providing just that, smoothing out the important bits so you don’t get a fright when on the motorway. Indeed, the epic capabilities of this McLaren 750S are sure to win over even the most eco-minded.
