McLaren
Automotive will return to the International Geneva Motor Show this year with
its fastest, most engaging, best equipped and most beautiful series-production
supercar yet.
The
McLaren 650S joins the range as an additional model alongside the 12C and
sold-out McLaren P1, and learns from both models as well as 50 years of
competing in the highest levels of motorsport. Available as a fixed-head coupé
or as a Spider, with a retractable folding hard top, the McLaren 650S promises
to redefine the high performance supercar segment, and has been designed and
developed to provide the ultimate in driver engagement on the road and on the
race track.
The
650S badge designation refers to the power output – 641 bhp – of the unique
British-built McLaren M838T twin turbo V8 engine. ‘S’ stands for ‘Sport’,
underlining the focus and developments made to handling, transmission,
drivability and engagement. Performance
figures will be confirmed ahead of the Geneva Show but will improve on the
already rapid 12C which continues on sale.
The
design is inspired by the McLaren P1, previewing a new family design language.
The front bumper gives the McLaren 650S a dramatic, yet clean appearance and
sits below new LED headlamps which reflect a similar look to the McLaren P1.
The more integrated front splitter contributes to increased levels of
downforce, giving a greater level of steering feeling and confidence to the
driver on turn-in, while also adding to the agility and the car’s handling
balance. Unique door blades behind the front wheels direct air from the
trailing edges of the front splitter, further benefiting front-end grip and
vehicle balance.
The
aerodynamic performance of the McLaren 650S is as efficient as the 12C,
boasting the same drag coefficient figure, yet the air is being worked harder
and more efficiently as it flows over, and through, the functional bodywork. At
150 mph, downforce levels are increased by 24pc.
‘As
always with McLaren, the new design is there for good engineering reasons,'
says McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt.
‘The newly designed front bumper improves downforce and steering
turn-in. The high speed handling balance is now even better. The LED lights use
less power and last longer.'